New Delhi: India is in the process of Lok Sabha elections 2024. Already four phases of voting have been done in the elections out of a total seven phases. Some voters are living outside in another country known as NRI (Non-Resident Indians).
There is a provision for the NRIs to cast their votes in the elections. It is important to note that NRIs were not allowed to vote in the elections before 2010. Non-resident Indians have an opportunity to register as voters in India, as per the provisions of Section 20A of the Representation of People Act, 1950 by the Representation of the People (Amendment) Act, 2010.
The Election Commission of India explains that an NRI residing abroad can be included in an electoral roll in India. As per the passport details, the Election Commission has identified the overseas voters, who are included under a special section named ‘Overseas Electors’ at the end of the electoral roll of their Indian residence location.
Who Is An Overseas Elector?
An overseas elector, according to the Election Commission, is an Indian citizen who has not obtained citizenship of any other country and is temporarily away from India due to employment or education commitments. The NRI individual can also register as a voter in the constituency where their Indian residence address, as listed in the passport, is situated.
Additionally, overseas electors need to notify the Electoral Registration Officer (ERO) of any changes in their residential address abroad. If an NRI becomes a resident in India, they are required to inform the ERO to be registered as a general elector in the Indian constituency of their ordinary residence.
NRIs held a car rally from Ahmedabad to Surat as part of their campaign for the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and Prime Minister Narendra Modi for the ongoing Lok Sabha elections on April 28. In the US Indians organized car rallies in 17 states and similarly in April in the UK car rallies were organized in support of PM Narendra Modi and also when the election commission announced the dates for the Lok Sabha Polls.
On the day when the Election Commission of India announced the dates of the Lok Sabha elections, a 400-car rally took place in the United Kingdom. The event was organized by Overseas Friends of the BJP secretary Dipak Patel. Indian expatriates have been endorsing political parties in the ongoing Lok Sabha elections.
Apart from Gujarat NRIs from Rajasthan, West Bengal, Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh and Punjab participated in the car rally. These NRIs arrived from different countries like the US, UK, Australia, Canada, Europe and Africa. The rally covered nearly 270 KM and passed through nine Lok Sabha constituencies.
