Indian diplomatic missions may soon serve as voting centres for expatriates: Ravi

Dubai, Mar.5 (ANI): The Indian Ministry of Overseas Indian Affairs has reportedly approached the Election Commission to consider a proposal to allow Indian expatriates to vote in diplomatic missions in the countries where they reside.

According to a Gulf News report, Overseas Indian Affairs Minister Vayalar Ravi has submitted a recommendation to this effect.

It quoted Ravi, as saying that he is in favour of allowing Indian expatriates to cast their vote in embassies and high commissions around the world, as such a step would ensure better participation in the election process.

If voting is allowed, an estimated 1.75 million Indians living in the UAE could participate in the election process of their country in a much better way.

Although the government recently granted voting rights to the 27 million expatriates across the globe, the elections saw negligible participation, since it is mandatory to be present in the constituency on the polling day.

Participation from the Gulf countries, according to some reports, was no more than 2,000 voters.

"We need to encourage more and more expatriates to exercise their voting rights. The ministry is in talks with the Election Commission to simplify the process of voters' list registration as well as to iron out some issues that have come up. Amendments will soon be finalised," Ravi was quoted, as saying. (ANI)