(a) Whether the Government has decided to confer the right of franchise to the Non-resident Indians;
(b) If so, the details thereof;
(c) Whether these Non-resident Indians would also be allowed to contest
elections; and
(d) If so, the details in this regard?
MINISTER OF OVERSEAS INDIAN AFFAIRS (VAYALAR RAVI)
(a) to (d) : A statement is laid on the Table of the House.
Statement referred to in reply to Lok Sabha Starred Question No. 392
by Shri M. Raja Mohan Reddy and Shri Hansraj G. Ahir for reply on
23.08.2006 regarding Voting Rights to NRIs.
(a) to (d) : With a view to enabling citizens of India who are absenting from
their place of ordinary residence 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 27-02-2006. 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/laid
in Lok Sabha on the 4th August, 2006. The Report is being examined.