Lok Sabha 2019 elections will see 2.5 crore NRIs cast their vote

Once the bill is passed 2.5 crore NRIs would be able to cast their vote through proxy or an e-postal ballot system. Currently only the defence personnel are allowed to vote through a postal ballot

The Centre has told the Supreme Court that a bill be introduced in Parliament paving the way for NRIs to cast their vote in the elections. They would be able to cast their vote through their nominees, the SC was also informed.

Once the bill is passed 2.5 crore NRIs would be able to cast their vote through proxy or an e-postal ballot system. Currently only the defence personnel are allowed to vote through a postal ballot or nominee.

The Bench headed by Chief Justice of India, Dipak Misra was hearing a batch of petitions filed by NRIs which has now been pending for three years.

The Election Commission says that under the e-ballot procedure, the NRI would have to send an application either electronically or physically to the returning officer six months before the expiry of the term of the house for which elections are scheduled to be held. If the returning officer is satisfied, then the postal ballot would be send electronically to the NRI which he or she could access with a password.

The voter would have to download the postal ballot paper, cast the vote and then post back to the returning officer after getting the declaration attested, the EC had also said.

Further the EC told the government that this could be implemented within three months of the bill being passed by the Parliament.

OneIndia News