Explore online voting option for NRIs: Supreme Court

Election panel told to see if facility possible before vote count

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By T.k. Devasia

Published: Wed 9 Apr 2014, 1:46 AM

Last updated: Fri 3 Apr 2015, 5:49 PM

Non-resident Indians (NRIs) may be able to cast their votes in the ongoing general elections from their foreign locations with the Supreme Court directing the Election Commission of India (ECI) to explore the possibility of introducing online voting facility before the counting of votes on May 16.

A division bench, headed by Justice K.S. Radhakrishnan, gave the direction on Monday while considering a petition filed by UAE resident Dr V.P. Shamsheer. Responding to its notice, the ECI informed the apex court that the NRIs’ demand for facility to cast their votes online was under consideration.

However, the commission counsel expressed difficulty in introducing the facility during the current election citing legal and technical issues. A committee would be constituted to study the issues. This would take at least two months. The commission counsel also pointed out difficulties in introducing the facility midway through the election.

However, the court asked if it was possible for the commission to provide the facility to registered voters as the counting would take place only on May 16. The bench directed the ECI to inform about its decision by Friday.

The apex court had on March 29 directed the commission to explore the possibility of allowing postal ballots to NRIs. The commission informed the court that it was not possible without amending the People’s Representation Act.

As per the current rules, NRIs now can vote only in their constituencies. This regulation discouraged NRIs from enrolling their names in the voters’ list. Out of the 10 million expats spread all over the world, only 11,844 have registered as voters. Of this, 97 per cent are from Kerala, which is going to polls on April 10.

Dr Shamsheer, a health care professional from the southern state, wanted the court to strike down the clause in the amended People’s Representation Act that insists on the physical presence of NRIs in their constituency to cast their vote to enable them to make use of the voting right granted to them by the government in 2010.

He termed the provision discriminatory and violative of fundamental rights. He submitted that a total number of over 10 million people will be entitled to cast their vote if NRIs are allowed to vote from overseas. His petition said that 114 countries have adopted external voting and amongst it 20 are Asian countries.

Meanwhile, a chartered flight carrying 176 registered NRI voters from Dubai arrived in the state on Monday. The voters brought by the UAE-based Kerala Muslim Cultural Centre, a political arm of the Indian Union Muslim League, were given a warm reception at the Karipur airport.

Most of them, who are political activists, will be fanning out into various constituencies to canvass votes for the ruling United Democratic Front candidates. Their campaign is considered crucial since the kin of NRIs numbering about two million forms a large chunk of voters in the state.

news@khaleejtimes.com

T.k. Devasia

Published: Wed 9 Apr 2014, 1:46 AM

Last updated: Fri 3 Apr 2015, 5:49 PM

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