(a) whether the Government has received any requests/memoranda from Malayalee Associations
for voting rights of non-resident Keralites residing in Delhi;
(b) if so, the details thereof;
(c) the action taken/being taken by the Government in this regard;
(d) whether the Government proposes to give voting rights to Non-Resident Indians
(N.R.Is.)/Overseas Indians;
(e) if so, the details thereof; and
(f) if not, the reasons therefor?
MINISTER OF LAW AND JUSTICE (SHRI H.R. BHARDWAJ)
(a) & (b): The Government has not received any such representation in this regard.
(c): Does not arise.
(d) and (e): With a view to enabling citizens of India who are absenting from their place
of ordinary residence in India owing to their employment, education, or otherwise, outside
India to get their names enrolled in the electoral rolls and cast their votes when they are
in their constituency at the time of polls, the Government introduced the Representation of
the People (Amendment) Bill, 2006 in Rajya Sabha on the 27th February, 2006. The said Bill
was referred to the Department-Related Parliamentary Standing Committee on Personnel, Public
Grievances, Law and Justice for examination and report. The Committee presented its 16th
Report on the Representation of the People (Amendment) Bill, 2006 to Rajya Sabha and laid
the same in Lok Sabha on the 4th August, 2006. The Government has not taken any decision
on the recommendations of the Committee so far.
(f): Does not arise.