New Delhi: The External Affairs Ministry has approved the Election Commission’s proposal to introduce e-ballot for NRIs. The commission will hold discussions with expatriate organizations and political parties in this regard. The Law Ministry will soon take a decision on amending the election rules.
The Election Commission and the Ministry of External Affairs had a detailed discussion on the non-introduction of e-ballot for NRIs. The draft was handed over to the Commission. The Ministry of External Affairs approved the e-ballot with the suggestion that a detailed consultation is held with all. The Commission has stated that it is technically and administratively ready to implement the e-ballot system in the Assembly elections in Kerala next year as well.
Expatriates in the Gulf countries may not get the chance to vote in the first round. The commission recommended that the e-ballot be amended to include the 1961 Electoral Code. The law ministry will make a decision soon.
The Ministry of External Affairs estimates that there are 1.7 crore expatriates in 206 countries. According to the last parliamentary elections, 99,807 people were registered to vote. Of these, 85,161 are from Kerala.
