Elections: NRIs get voting rights

Jaipur, Jan 8: India on Sunday, Jan 8 said that Non-resident Indias would be allowed to vote and participate in the election process.

"Pursuant to the law that was enacted to enable Non-resident Indians to vote in our national elections, the government has issued notifications for registration of overseas electors under the Representation of People Act, 1950," said Prime Minister Manmohan Singh.

"This constitutes the first major step to enable Indian residents abroad to participate in our election process," said the prime minister while addressing the annual diaspora meet here.

Talking about diaspora, he said that it played an important role in the development and growth of the country and the government was committed to it and fulfil the demands.

"The government and people of India recognise and value the important role being played by Indian communities living abroad. We believe that Indian diaspora has much more to contribute to the building of modern India," said the prime minister.

"We propose to facilitate, encourage and promote this engagement. Over the past year, we have taken a number of steps towards this end," he added.

The 10th annual diaspora meet, Pravasi Bharatiya Divas (PBD) was inaugrated by the Prime Minister here.

OneIndia News