NEW YORK—Consulate General of India in New York said that some misleading information is being spread in some sections of the media, especially social media about the online voting/voting in the Consulate or through proxy/mail by Overseas (NRI) Indian Voters in the forthcoming general election in India.
The Consulate General said in a statement that the position has been clarified by Election Commission of India spokesperson saying that no such facility has been extended to NRIs.
“The Election Commission of India (ECI) has also filed a complaint with the Delhi Police, asking it to track down those spreading “fake news” that NRIs (Non-Resident Indians) can cast their vote online in the coming Lok Sabha elections,” the statement said.
The current position with regard to voting by NRI voters in the general election in India is reiterated as follows:
Under Section 20A of the Representation of People Act, 1950 and rules made there under every citizen of India:
(a) whose name is not included in the electoral roll;
(b) who has not acquired the citizenship of any other country; and
(c) who is absenting from his place of ordinary residence in India owing to his employment, education or otherwise outside India, is entitled to have his/her name registered in the electoral roll as “Overseas electors” in the constituency in one’s place of residence in India as mentioned in one’s passport is located.
The statement said that the application for this purpose can be filed in the prescribed form in person before the concerned Electoral Registration Officer or sent by post or can be filed online on the website of Chief Electoral Officer of the concerned state or website of Election Commission of India (www.eci.gov.in).
After getting enrolled in the electoral roll, such person though will not be issued Elector Photo Identity Card but can cast one’s vote in India during Assembly or
Parliamentary election at the respective polling station after showing his/her valid original Indian passport. However, provision for alternative options for voting for overseas Indian elections is under consideration.
The Consulate General of India in New York requests all the NRIs in the consular
jurisdiction of CGI, New York to get their names registered on the electoral rolls as NRI voters to enable them to become the part of the election process.
For further information regarding overseas electors, please refer to website of Election Commission of India http://ecisveep.nic.in/voters/overseas-voters/ or www.nvsp.in
A Guide on How Do I vote, prepared by Election Commission of India for Electoral Voters and Service Voters can be seen at the following websites:
https://mea.gov.in/Images/pdf/nri-brochure-english-at-18012019.pdf and
https://mea.gov.in/Images/pdf/service-voter-brochure.pdf
