The Election Commission has suggested allowing non resident Indians (NRIs) to participate in voting through proxies and electronic ballots.
In a report it is expected to submit to the Supreme Court, a copy of which was seen by ET, the EC recommends starting with a pilot programme covering a few places, and then extending it to assembly and eventually to parliamentary polls. If the process is initiated under court orders, NRI voting can become a reality in assembly elections by 2016.
The commission prepared the report following a Supreme Court directive. While dealing with a petition filed by Shamsheer VP, an NRI from Kerala who argued that voting rights cannot be denied to those who go outside for study or in search of employment, the court asked the poll panel to favourably consider granting them these rights.
An EC committee finalised the report on October 13. While the report recommends allowing both proxy and e-voting , it ruled out personal voting at Indian embassies and postal ballots as effective options.
In the proxy system, NRIs can name a proxy in their constituency who can exercise his or her right to vote, the report says. In the e-ballot system, blank ballot papers will be electronically sent to NRIs over the Internet. The NRI can mark his vote and return it by post to the returning officer. NRIs will have to apply online six months before elections and the authorities will verify their claim before allowing them to vote.
An EC committee finalised the report on October 13. While the report recommends allowing both proxy and e-voting , it ruled out personal voting at Indian embassies and postal ballots as effective options.
In the proxy system, NRIs can name a proxy in their constituency who can exercise his or her right to vote, the report says. In the e-ballot system, blank ballot papers will be electronically sent to NRIs over the Internet. The NRI can mark his vote and return it by post to the returning officer. NRIs will have to apply online six months before elections and the authorities will verify their claim before allowing them to vote.
Currently there are only 12,000 NRI voters, but they need to 
travel to India to cast their votes. Proxy and e-ballots could encourage more to register as voters.
The report suggests changes in Section 60 of the Representation of the People Act, 1951, to facilitate proxy and e-voting.
The report suggests changes in Section 60 of the Representation of the People Act, 1951, to facilitate proxy and e-voting.
Currently, proxy voting is allowed for armed force personnel. They can nominate a proxy which will be attested by their commanding officer and a first-class magistrate and notary. The issue of validation of proxy for NRIs will have to be sorted out still. Congress, BSP, CPI had opposed proxy voting, while the ruling BJP had supported it.
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