Context:

The Government is planning to move to introduce an Electronically Transmitted Postal Ballot System for NRIs.

(NRI’s) plan

• The Election Commission of India has proposed to give postal voting rights not proxy voting to NRIs.
• This means the government only needs to amend the Conduct of Election Rules 1961.
• It doesn’t require Parliament’s approval.

The existing norms

• As per the existing norms, overseas voters would have to be physically present for casting vote.
  • He/she can only vote in person and will have to produce his/her passport in original at the polling station for establishing identity.
  • Voting rights for NRIs were introduced only in 2011, through an amendment to the Representation of the People Act 1950.
• Only service voters are allowed to cast their vote through Electronically Transmitted Postal Ballot System.
• Service Voters are members
  • of the Armed Forces of India
  • From Assam Rifles, CRPF, BSF, ITBF; GREF in Border Road Organisation; Central Industrial Security Force
  • Employed under the Government of India, in a post outside India
  • Member of an Armed Police Force of a State, and serving outside that state.

The current strength of NRI

As per the MEA, Indian NRI population is around 13.5 million.