Non-Resident Indians (NRIs) should be enabled to exercise their voting right in the country of their residence, a Delhi based organisation has said.
Global Indian Association (GIA) has launched a campaign aiming to secure the right for about 30 million NRIs living in various parts of the world in time for the general election due to be held in 2014.
The Indian Government recently granted a concession to NRIs to vote in the general election if they were present in their constituency on the day of polling. GIA wants the federal government in Delhi to facilitate postal voting system.
“NRIs must be able to cast their votes in General Election under the supervision of Indian Embassies, Consulates at the respective countries of NRIs. Our stand is that there should be a viable mechanism to implement the right to vote,” GIA President Rajeev Joseph said in a note to Indian Newslink.
He said the Association would commence a ‘Signature Campaign’ in 200 countries, with the official launch in Salalah (Sultanate of Oman) on June 7, followed by a similar campaign in Riyadh (Saudi Arabia) and Kuwait, respectively on June 14 and 22.
Mr Joseph appealed to leaders of the Indian community in New Zealand to organise a ‘Signature Campaign’ in New Zealand.
Those holding ‘Overseas Indian Citizen’ and ‘Person of Indian Origin’ status would not be entitled for the right since they are not Indian passport holders and are not considered ‘full-fledged’ citizens of India.
