NRIs can soon vote in India's elections, says PM

New Delhi, Jan 8: Prime Minister Manmohan Singh on Friday, Jan 8, said that NRIs will be able to cast their votes by next general elections.

Manmohan Singh said, "I recognise the legitimate desire of Indians living abroad to exercise their franchise and to have a say in who governs India."

"We are working on this issue and I sincerely hope that they will get a chance to vote by the time of the next regular general elections," he said at the eighth edition of Pravasi Bharatiya Divas.

"In fact, I would go a step further and ask why more overseas Indians should not return home to join politics and public life as they are increasingly doing in business and academia," he added.

Around 1,500 delegates from 50-plus countries are attending the conclave that the country hosts annually to connect with its 25 million diaspora in 130 countries.

OneIndia News