Abu Dhabi: Indian expatriates could soon vote from the UAE as the new government is considering a slew of online ballot options.
The Election Commission of India has appointed a poll committee to examine the feasibility of replicating a Gujarat municipal election model in which Non Resident Indians (NRIs) would cast their votes online.
“It is a positive development as this has been a long-pending demand of NRIs,” T. P. Seetharam, Indian Ambassador to the UAE, told XPRESS.
“The demand for NRI voting rights was brushed aside citing logistical challenges. But the appointment of the poll committee is a positive development as it seeks to address the keenness of Indian citizens living abroad to participate in the country’s democratic process,” added Seetharam.
According to the Ambassador, the appointment of the new committee is a direct result of a writ petition filed in the Supreme Court by an Abu Dhabi-based expat.
Dr Shamseer Valayil Parampath, managing director of Lifeline Healthcare Group in Abu Dhabi, had approached the apex court, demanding NRIs be given the right to vote in the countries where they live and work.
The new committee is studying options to involve the Indian diaspora spread across the globe, in the world’s biggest democratic exercise.
Four options
According to reports, the poll panel is considering four options — postal ballot, proxy voting, voting at an Indian mission or online voting. The Election Commission recently called a meeting of all national parties to seek their opinions on each of these options. The meeting was attended by the BJP, Congress, CPI and CPI (M).
Currently, only those Non-resident Indians who have registered their names and are present in their constituency on the day of elections can cast their ballots.
As of now, only 11,844 Indians living abroad have registered as voters. Most of them are Keralites.
“While many other expatriates in the UAE take part in their national elections, a vast majority of Indians are denied the same right,” said Dr Parampath, the recipient of the Pravasi Bharathi Award this year.
The expatriate community in the UAE has always been at the forefront in demanding voting rights. Community organisations and prominent businessmen have in the past lobbied with successive governments to push for voting reforms.
D. Natarajan, President of India Social and Cultural Centre (ISC), in Abu Dhabi said it will be a dream come true for expatriates in the UAE if they are able to choose their elected representatives.
“It is a welcome step. If the new government seriously put their mind to it, I am sure we can expect a positive outcome,” said Natarajan.
It is our right and I am keenly looking forward to exercise that right,” he added.
