Question : RIGHT OF VOTE TO NRIS OVERSEAS INDIANS



(a) whether the Government proposes to introduce legislation for right to vote for Non-Resident Indians (NRIs)/overseas Indians;

(b) if so, the details thereof; and

(c) the time by which the legislation is likely to be introduced?

Answer given by the minister



MINISTER OF THE STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF OVERSEAS INDIAN AFFAIRS (SHRI VAYALAR RAVI)

(a), (b) & (c) A Bill proposing grant of voting rights to Indian citizens who are away from their place of residence on account of employment, education or otherwise was introduced in the Rajya Sabha in February, 2006. The proposal permits Indian citizens residing outside India due to their employment, education, etc. to get their names registered in the electoral roll of the concerned constituency of their place of ordinary residence in India and cast their vote to the elections to the Lok Sabha and State Legislatures in case they are present in their constituencies at the time of the elections. The Departmental Parliament Standing Committee on Personnel, Public Grievances, Law and Justice presented its Report on it to Rajya Sabha/ laid on the Table of Lok Sabha on 4th August, 2006. The report is under examination of the Ministry of Law and Justice, Legislative Department.