In a significant development, children of Tibetan refugees born in India between the cut-off date of 1950 and 1987 would be eligible for enrolment in the voters’ list for the Delhi Assembly elections, officials said on Sunday. This marks a watershed development for the Tibetan refugees who reside in Delhi’s Majnu Ka Tilla, which is one of the largest Tibetan settlements falling under Chandni Chowk constituency.
“According to the order issued to Delhi’s Chief Electoral Office by the Election Commission of India, dated December 8, children of Tibetan refugees born in India between the cut-off date of 1950 and 1987 are eligible for enrollment in Delhi,” Deputy Chief Electoral Officer AK Srivastava said.
The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) though, is in principle, against giving voting rights to all refugees living in India... But, the Electoral Registration Officers (EROs) concerned should not deny enrolment to children of such Tibetan refugees, the order said.
According to the ECI guidelines, those Tibetans born in India on or after January 26, 1950, but before July 1, 1987, have the right to exercise their franchise.
The guidelines came into force following an August 2013 Karnataka High Court order which paved the way for granting Indian citizenship to Tibetan refugees.