(a) whether the Government has taken measures to facilitate students living outside their State to vote in Government election through postal ballots;
(b) if so, the details thereof;
(c) if not, the reasons therefor;
(d) whether Union Government has received any new proposal from any State to allow the students living outside their State to vote in Government election; and
(e) if so, the details thereof?
ANSWER
MINISTER OF LAW AND JUSTICE, COMMUNICATIONS AND ELECTRONICS & INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY
(SHRI RAVI SHANKAR PRASAD)
(a) to (c) : The Election Commission has informed that postal ballot facility for voting is available by law to specific categories of electors. Such categories do not include students living outside their State. Further, the Commission has already made provision regarding enrolment of students who live outside their place of ordinary residence. A student, if otherwise eligible, living in a hostel or mess or lodge more or less continuously, going back to their normal home or place of residence only for short periods, can be held to be ordinarily resident in the place where the hostel or mess or lodge is situated. However, if they so wish, they have the option of retaining their enrolment at their residence with their parents instead. However, the course pursued by the said students should be recognized by Central/State Governments/Boards/ Universities/Deemed Universities and such courses'' should be of not less than 1 year duration. Such students who want to enrol themselves at the hostel/mess will have to attach a bonafide declaration duly certified by the Headmaster / Principal / Director / Registrar / Dean of the educational institution in form 6 of the Registration of Electors Rules, 1960.
(d): No, Sir.
(e): Does not arise.