(a) whether the facility of postal ballots will not be extended to Non Resident Indians (NRIs) for the upcoming elections in States and extending the facility woud take some more time and need amendments; and
(b) if so, the details and the present status thereof?
MINISTER OF LAW AND JUSTICE, COMMUNICATIONS AND ELECTRONICS & INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY
(SHRI RAVI SHANKAR PRASAD)
(a) & (b): The Election Commission of India has taken up a proposal to amend the Conduct of Elections Rules, 1961 to facilitate Electronically Transmitted Postal Ballot System for overseas electors. Since the matter is still under discussions with the Ministry of External Affairs to iron out the logistical challenges involved in the implementation of the proposal, it will not be possible to extend the said facility to the overseas electors in the upcoming elections to the State Legislative Assemblies.
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