Voting Abroad in Indian Elections ? Non-Resident Indians (NRIs) | #AskJP | FDR India

Summary

The speaker addresses the issue of NRI (Non-Resident Indian) voting rights, highlighting that while Indian citizens abroad can vote, they must return to India to do so. The speaker suggests implementing postal ballots for NRIs, similar to military personnel and election workers, and explores the idea of downloadable ballots or electronic voting for overseas citizens. The speaker also advocates for dual citizenship, arguing that it would benefit India by keeping strong ties with the Indian diaspora and enhancing their contribution to the country both politically and economically.

Takeaways

• ✉️ Non-Resident Indians (NRIs) do have voting rights under Indian law, but they must return to India to cast their vote, making it impractical for most.
• 🌍 Many other countries, like Britain, provide more flexible options for overseas voting, such as polling booths abroad or electronic voting.
• 📮 In India, only servicemen, armed forces personnel, and election officials can vote through postal ballots, but there's no reason NRIs can't be granted the same right.
• 🖨️ A feasible option for NRI voting is allowing them to download postal ballots online, print, mark, and send them back, reducing delays and logistical challenges.
• 💻 While electronic voting for NRIs is a possibility, it would require strong safeguards, as online systems are more vulnerable than the current electronic voting machines used in India.
• 🔒 There are concerns about the safety of electronic voting machines, but after years of use, they are generally trusted in India, though online voting may demand even higher security measures.
• 🧪 Introducing electronic voting for NRIs on a pilot basis before rolling it out nationwide could be a cautious and practical approach.
• 🇮🇳 Many democratic countries, including neighbors like Pakistan and Bangladesh, allow dual citizenship, but India does not, which is seen as a loss of committed citizens.
• 💔 NRIs often have to choose between citizenship in the country where they’ve built a life and their love for India, which could be mitigated by allowing dual citizenship.
• 🔄 Allowing dual citizenship would strengthen political, economic, and social ties with NRIs and people of Indian origin, making them more invested in India’s progress.

Q & A

What is the main issue raised in the script regarding NRI voting rights?

The main issue raised is that non-resident Indians (NRIs), despite having voting rights, must physically come to India to vote, which is impractical for many of them. The speaker suggests more accessible solutions like postal ballots or electronic voting.

What are the two classes of people currently allowed to vote by postal ballot in India?

Currently, only two classes of people are allowed to vote by postal ballot: members of the armed forces and government employees involved in election duties, including security personnel and police.

Why is postal voting for NRIs not currently a feasible option?

Postal voting is not feasible for NRIs because of the logistical challenge. The time frame between finalizing the ballot paper and the election is too short for mailing the ballots internationally and receiving them back in time.

What solution does the speaker propose to make postal voting possible for NRIs?

The speaker suggests allowing NRIs to download their ballot paper electronically. After printing and marking it, they could mail it back to the returning officer, simplifying the process and reducing delays.

What concerns are associated with introducing electronic voting for NRIs?

The primary concern with electronic voting is the need for greater safeguards to prevent tampering, especially since this would involve online systems, unlike the current electronic voting machines (EVMs) used in India, which are not networked.

Why does the speaker believe introducing electronic voting for NRIs could be beneficial?

The speaker believes that electronic voting, with appropriate safeguards, could make it easier for NRIs to participate in elections. It could be introduced on a pilot basis to test its feasibility before expanding it nationwide.

How has India’s political system responded to the use of electronic voting machines (EVMs)?

India's political system has largely accepted the safety and reliability of EVMs, although there were initial doubts and challenges. Over time, EVMs have gained trust, and there is no credible evidence of serious tampering.

What is the speaker's stance on dual citizenship for Indians?

The speaker advocates for allowing dual citizenship, as it would help India retain the loyalty of NRIs and people of Indian origin. This would benefit India politically, economically, and socially by maintaining their connection to the country.

Which countries does the speaker cite as examples that allow dual citizenship?

The speaker mentions countries like Britain, France, Germany, Japan, and the United States, which allow dual citizenship and suggests that India could follow their example.

What is the broader benefit the speaker sees in allowing NRIs to vote and hold dual citizenship?

The speaker believes that allowing NRIs to vote and hold dual citizenship would help improve the nature of Indian politics, reducing the influence of money power and other negative forces. It would also strengthen India's global connections and economic prospects.

Outlines

00:00

🗳️ Introduction and NRI Voting in India

In this introductory segment, the host addresses a question from Swami, a software professional from Tampa, Florida, regarding voting rights for non-resident Indians (NRIs). While Indian citizens, including NRIs, have the right to vote, they must physically return to India to cast their ballot. This creates significant challenges for many, unlike other countries where overseas voting is more accessible through mechanisms like postal ballots or electronic voting. The host highlights this impracticality and sets the stage for further discussion on potential solutions.

05:01

📬 Postal Ballot: An Easier Option for NRI Voting

The host explains that only two groups in India—armed forces personnel and government employees on election duty—are allowed to vote via postal ballot. He argues that there is no valid reason why NRIs should not be extended the same right. The process could be simplified if NRIs were permitted to download the appropriate ballot paper for their constituency, fill it out, and mail it back. While this would require some form of identity verification and secure handling, the host believes it would significantly increase voter participation among NRIs without undue complications.

🖥️ Exploring the Potential of Electronic Voting for NRIs

Moving beyond postal ballots, the host discusses the idea of electronic voting for NRIs. He acknowledges that online voting introduces greater security concerns, especially since electronic voting in India is conducted using discrete machines that are not connected to any network. However, he proposes a pilot program allowing online voting for overseas Indians, which, if successful, could be expanded to the general public. Safeguards and legal provisions would be necessary to ensure the integrity of this system.

🛡️ Trust in EVMs and Concerns Over Online Voting

The host touches on the long-standing debate over the security of India's electronic voting machines (EVMs). Though it took many years for the political system and public to accept EVMs as secure, there is now broad consensus on their reliability. However, online voting for NRIs would require even greater safeguards, given the increased vulnerability of networked systems. He suggests that the political system and public would need time to build trust in any online voting mechanism.

🇮🇳 Addressing Dual Citizenship: A Bigger Debate

The host expands the conversation by discussing the lack of dual citizenship in India, which he sees as a loss for the country. Most major democracies, including neighboring countries like Pakistan and Bangladesh, allow dual citizenship, enabling individuals to maintain strong ties to their homeland while living abroad. India’s refusal to offer dual citizenship forces NRIs to choose between their adopted country and India, a decision that often results in India losing valuable, committed individuals. The host advocates for reciprocal dual citizenship with other democratic nations, arguing that it would not only foster deeper political engagement but also strengthen economic and social ties with overseas Indians.

📈 Conclusion: Progressive Reforms for NRIs

In conclusion, the host outlines three key areas where India could better engage with its non-resident citizens: expanding postal balloting rights, experimenting with electronic voting, and eventually allowing dual citizenship. He emphasizes the importance of progressive reforms to enhance political participation among NRIs, which he believes would enrich India’s democracy and strengthen the country’s ties with its diaspora. These reforms would ensure that India fully benefits from the contributions of its overseas citizens, both politically and economically.

Keywords

💡NRI Voting Rights

NRI (Non-Resident Indian) Voting Rights refer to the ability of Indian citizens living abroad to participate in elections. In the video, the speaker highlights the challenges faced by NRIs, who have voting rights under Indian law but must return to India to vote, which is impractical. The video discusses potential solutions to this issue, such as postal and electronic voting.

💡Postal Ballot

A Postal Ballot is a voting method where voters send their votes by mail. In India, only servicemen and election officials are currently allowed to vote via postal ballots. The speaker suggests extending this system to NRIs, which would allow them to vote without returning to India, making the voting process more accessible for overseas citizens.

💡Electronic Voting

Electronic Voting refers to the use of technology to cast and count votes. The video mentions the possibility of introducing electronic voting for NRIs, but the speaker acknowledges concerns over the security of online voting systems. While EVMs (Electronic Voting Machines) are trusted in India, online voting presents additional challenges that would require careful safeguards.

💡Dual Citizenship

Dual Citizenship allows an individual to be a citizen of two countries simultaneously. The speaker argues that India’s refusal to allow dual citizenship forces NRIs to choose between their country of residence and their homeland. He suggests that India should adopt dual citizenship policies, like many other democratic nations, to retain the loyalty and contributions of NRIs.

💡Returning Officer

A Returning Officer is an official responsible for overseeing elections and ensuring their proper conduct. In the context of postal ballots, the speaker discusses how returning officers currently send printed ballot papers to eligible voters, which is impractical for overseas voters due to the time constraints involved in international mail.

💡Assembly Segment

An Assembly Segment refers to a division within a constituency for local elections in India. The video mentions that NRIs should be able to download ballot papers specific to their assembly segment for elections. This would allow them to vote in the appropriate local or national elections even while residing abroad.

💡EVM (Electronic Voting Machines)

EVMs are devices used in Indian elections to electronically record votes. The speaker notes that while EVMs have gained trust over the years, online voting for NRIs would require even more stringent security measures. EVMs are not networked, which makes them more secure, unlike online voting systems that may be vulnerable to tampering.

💡Pilot Basis

A Pilot Basis refers to the testing of a new system on a small scale before full implementation. The speaker suggests that India could introduce electronic voting for NRIs on a pilot basis to evaluate its effectiveness and security. If successful, it could be gradually expanded to cover all voters.

💡Safeguards

Safeguards are measures put in place to ensure security and integrity. The video emphasizes the importance of implementing safeguards in both postal and electronic voting systems to prevent tampering or misuse. For example, the speaker mentions identity verification as a crucial safeguard for ensuring that votes cast by NRIs are legitimate.

💡Political Participation

Political Participation refers to the involvement of citizens in the political process, such as voting. The video stresses that by extending voting rights and dual citizenship to NRIs, India could enhance political participation among its diaspora. This would not only strengthen their connection to the homeland but also improve the overall quality of democracy by involving more diverse voices.

Highlights

Indian citizens abroad have voting rights if registered but must return to India to vote.

Other countries, such as Britain, offer flexible provisions for citizens abroad to vote locally.

India's current system makes it impractical for NRIs to vote since they must travel back to India.

There are two classes allowed postal ballots in India: service personnel and government employees involved in elections.

Non-resident Indians should be allowed postal ballots to facilitate voting without returning to India.

Technology could simplify the process by allowing NRIs to download ballot papers locally.

Returning officers currently send postal ballots by mail, but it's slow and inefficient.

Electronic voting could be considered for overseas voters, but greater safeguards are necessary.

India's electronic voting machines (EVMs) are secure, but online voting requires even more security.

Introducing electronic voting for NRIs on a pilot basis would help assess its feasibility.

The political system and public confidence in electronic voting need to grow before it's widely adopted.

Most major democratic countries, including India's neighbors, allow dual citizenship.

India loses valuable, committed citizens by not allowing dual citizenship.

Allowing dual citizenship would enable people of Indian origin to maintain their ties to India while holding foreign citizenship.

Progressively moving towards postal ballots, electronic voting, and dual citizenship could benefit India both politically and economically.

Transcripts

hello everybody

welcome to ask JP

[Music]

let's take the questioner today

Swami from Tampa Florida is in the

software sector hi sir God is for me

now my question is about the NRI voting

right sir

India action commission why can't

provide the Anri voting rights

thank you

thank you very simple straightforward

question

you know under the law and always if

their Indian citizens do have voting

rights

if they are registered as voters in

India but the problem is

you have to come to India to vote most

other countries actually have

extraordinarily flexible provisions

citizens abroad can vote in that country

Britain and other countries actually

provide polling booths or ballots and

they can send them locally some other

countries allow electronic voting for

those people who are abroad

in India even if you're registered as a

voter if you're a non-resident Indian

you have to come to the polling booth in

your place of voter registration and

then work it's impractical

and therefore in reality The Expatriate

Indians overseas Indians even if they're

Indian citizens aren't registered to

vote

they cannot really vote

now there are two things that we can

easily do

the first is there is a system of Postal

balloting in India only two classes of

people can vote through postal ballot

one the service men and women the people

employed in the armed forces of India

Two the government employees involved in

the election duties it may be the

security Personnel the police and the

other Security Forces it may be

employees deployed for the election

conduct

these two classes of people alone are

allowed to vote through postal ballot

now there is no good reason why

non-resident Indians cannot be given the

facility of postal ballot

if you don't have to come to the country

and then vote here at enormous expense

and difficulty which really doesn't

happen

then many people may be inclined to vote

and it's not a difficult thing at all to

give them the right to vote by postal

ballot well the thing is in addition to

the right to vote by postal ballot there

must be a mechanism and in this receptor

technology that's not difficult a

mechanism to download their ballot paper

because typically in case of postal

ballots returning office ascends to

those people entitled to get post School

ballots in advance printed postal ballot

papers

they will reach the person and the

person should Mark them in an

appropriate Manner and then send it to

returning officer before a certain date

now if it's overseas mailing for the

returning officer to send abroad these

papers and for them to register their

vote and then send them back by mail it

becomes cumbersome because typically the

period between the finalization of the

ballot paper

and the polling is no more than two to

three weeks now in two weeks time for

this balance to be printed then sent to

the other countries and then after

voting for the balance to come back to

the country it's unlikely to happen

therefore we can have in these days of

Technology a mechanism by which the

appropriate ballot paper

with appropriate codes and other

Provisions can be downloaded by the

individual abroad

if she belongs to let us say a

particular assembly segment in a

particular Lok Sabha constituency then

that ballot paper pertaining to assembly

or looks of high election can be

downloaded locally there

and once they print it out in the manner

designated by law they can record their

vote

there'll be some requirement of identity

and so on and so forth and then they can

actually mail it to the returning

officer

that I think will make it possible for

many people to access their vote it's a

simple process in my judgment a

non-controversial process

and there can be safe costs to ensure

that there is no Mischief or misuse of

the ballot papers

but we can even think of something

bigger supposing you actually allow

electronic voting on a pilot basis only

to overseas Waters

then perhaps that will be even easier

with adequate safeguards we can provide

electronic voting mechanism

of course there are all kinds of fears

with electronic voting because these are

not discrete machines we're not talking

of online voting unlike our electronic

voting machines even the EVMS electronic

voting machines it took almost a

generation 20-25 years for the political

system and the people to accept it well

they're all perfectly safe

and there is no evidence of any serious

tempering or a Mischief there are

Perpetual doubts

many political leaders whenever they

lose elections they make complaints

sometimes they went to courts but now by

and large political parties and the

people are convinced that these EVMS are

very safe

but these are discrete machines they're

not networked machines it's not online

voting

but if you talk about electronic voting

online for the overseas Indians even

greater safeguards are required

before introducing that in the whole

country I think it will be a good idea

to introduce that after appropriate

legal Provisions for the overseas voters

we can see how it works first on a pilot

base is even there and then later slowly

if it works to our satisfaction and if

everybody is happy and there are no

credible complaints we can extend it to

the rest of the country

I think both these the first one is the

easier option a postal ballot second one

requires greater doing and greater

confidence in the political system and

the public about the Integrity of the

election process we must not take it

lightly

and finally we must even look at another

much bigger thing most countries in the

world

including our neighbors Pakistan and

Bangladesh

almost every single major country

Democratic country in the world allows

dual citizenship

by not allowing dual citizenship we are

actually losing some of our most

committed Indians

if you ask them to make a cruel choice

between a citizenship and a country

where they have made their career in

life where their families are with them

where their children are growing and the

mother country for which they have

enormous love and respect it's not a

very wise thing from India's point of

view

so if Britain France Germany Japan

America other countries they all allow

dual citizenship

it makes no sense that we do not allow

it

we can do it on reciprocal basis you can

do it only for Democratic countries it's

our choice but if you allow dual

citizenship then not only non-western

Indians or Indian citizens but people of

Indian origin

who moved to another country who are

considering or accepting citizenship of

another country for whatever reasons

they can continue to remain as Indian

citizens not only will they play a

Creator in a political process build the

pressure for a reformed polity away from

the money power freebies and divisions

but there will also be an asset for the

country

once you continue to remain a citizen

you can also contribute economically and

socially for India as they say you may

take an Indian out of India but you

cannot take India out of an Indian

we'll be smart as a country to take

advantage of that sentiment that bond

with the mother country

instead of losing them to another

country through citizenship it's better

to allow them to acquire that

citizenship without losing our

citizenship

but these all these three the postal

ballot paper electronic voting and

ultimately dual citizenship I think

India should progressively move in that

direction if you want to get the best

out of our non-resident Indians in order

to improve the nature of politics in

this country