The Election Commission has said that it was not feasible to extend alternative voting rights to ‘domestic migrants’ as of now on the lines of service voters or overseas Indians.
A report prepared by a committee for the Commission on the issue said since it is difficult for it to track the movement of such migrants, extending them alternative voting rights such as e-ballot is not feasible at present, sources said quoting the document.
The Commission is of the view that ‘domestic migrants’ can register themselves as voters in the area they move for employment. The rules, sources in the Commission said, are easy for anyone to register as voter. As per rules, the day a person moves in at a new address, he or she is free to apply as a voter. But such options can be explored when stronger and better data are available on such voters, sources said quoting the report.
The report has been submitted to the government as well as the Supreme Court which was hearing a case related to alternative voting rights, the sources said.