Punjab govt asks NRIs to apply for voter registration

Jalandhar, Feb 24 (PTI) The Punjab government has askedNRIs to get themselves registered in the voter list so thatthey could participate in the election process.

"Those people of Jalandhar carrying Indian Passport andliving abroad for reasons of jobs, education or business canapply and get themselves enrolled in the voter list if theywant to participate in the forthcoming state or Generalelections," Jalandhar Deputy Commissioner Priyank Bharti toldPTI.

Representation of the People (Amendment) Bill, 2010 seeksto provide Indian citizens living abroad the right to vote, hesaid, adding that this law has come into effect from February10, 2011.

"These people can send form 6-A to the concerned officialto get themselves registered provided that they have completed18 years of age," Bharti said.

Those applying for the registration will have to submitphotocopies of the passport pages, and they would also berequired to show the original copy of passport to theconcerned officer there.

On the concern of frauds the Deputy Commissioner saidthat those applicants will have to get their passport attestedby the Nodal Officer present in the Indian Embassies in theirrespective countries, only then they can apply.