Millions of Punjabis amongst 10 million NRIs worldwide could realise their dream of redefining the political landscape of the country by casting their ballot from wherever they are, instead of physically coming to India, if the Supreme Court gives an assent.
A public interest litigation filed in the apex court last year by Pravasi Bharat Chairman Nagender Chindam and Ors is coming up for a hearing on November 14. A 50-page report was prepared by a 12-member committee led by Vinod Zutshi, Deputy Election Commissioner, for ‘Exploring Feasibility of Alternative Options for Voting by Overseas Electors’. The report was submitted to SC. Now the apex court will look into the aspects submitted by the Committee.
The EC committee is of the view that e-postal ballot, where blank postal ballot is transferred electronically to NRIs and returned by post, can be employed after validation of the process and pilot implementation in one or two constituencies and then be scaled up for parliamentary elections if found feasible, practicable and meeting the objectives of free and fair elections.
This campaign was pioneered by Pravasi Bharat, a london based organisation helmed by Nagender Chindam, which has found echoes amongst the NRI community across the world and this campaign group has been working relentlessly on this issue since its inception in Gandhian style.NRI’s have been restricted thanks to the existing archaic law which allow an NRI to cast his vote only if he is physically present in his constituency.In an age of internet and fast connectivity this obsolete law which requires monetary and physical effort has discouraged and restricted many NRIs from casting their ballot.
“We are hoping for a positive outcome on this case, which could change the dynamics of Indian politics and will be historic in our largest democracy.
There are 10 million Indian citizens staying abroad, and with 543 lok Sabha constituencies, this means an astonishing average of 18,000 votes per constituency may get polled from abroad. These additional votes, if polled, will obviously play a crucial role in State and General elections. We are looking forward to hear direction and order from the Supreme Court.” said Chindam.
He said, “We are in the modern age, wherein postal voting and online voting are widely acknowledged in most of the democracies in the world. India can send a rocket to Mars, I am sure, we can easily set up the best feasible voting options for eligible non-resident citizens using the technology and most efficient processes.”
Naresh Hanchate, a US based NRI and one of the petitioner states, “It is fair to provide equal rights to vote irrespective of where voters live, because of the globalisation and professionals moving across the globe to render their services. It’s crucial for the nation to include NRI citizens fundamentally to be part of our democratic system.”
Arti Gujare, a UK based NRI pleads that with the voting rights, “ I can keep my head high and say “I can be the change for India, be a proud citizen of India, if I am able to participate in our great democracy through e-postal/online/proxy voting in the future elections.”