Marking a significant step towards inclusive democracy, NRIs can now actively participate in the electoral process, albeit with the requirement of physically casting their ballots in their respective Indian constituencies
With the Lok Sabha elections drawing near, Indian expatriates abroad are gearing up to exercise their democratic right from afar. Despite the distance, the Election Commission of India (ECI) has streamlined the process for non-resident Indians (NRIs) to register as overseas voters, ensuring their voices resonate in the Indian electoral landscape.
Marking a significant step towards inclusive democracy, NRIs can now actively participate in the electoral process, albeit with the requirement of physically casting their ballots in their respective Indian constituencies.
Understanding the Process:
When to Cast Your Vote:
According to the Election Commission of India (ECI), the Lok Sabha elections are scheduled to be held from April 19 to June 1, 2024.
Who Can Register:
Eligibility criteria for registering as an overseas elector include being an Indian citizen absent from the country due to employment, education, or other reasons, not having acquired citizenship of any other country, and meeting the standard voter registration requirements based on the address in your passport.
How to Register:
Step 1: Gather Your Documents:
To initiate the registration process, ensure you have the following documents ready:
A recent passport-sized colored photograph affixed to Form 6A.
Self-attested photocopies of relevant passport pages containing your photograph, address in India, and other pertinent details.
The page of your passport containing a valid visa.
Step 2: Identify Your Constituency:
Discover the name of your constituency and its division within the district or state of residence by visiting the Election Commission of India’s website – eci.gov.in.
As Indian expatriates embrace their role in shaping the nation’s future, the opportunity to participate in the democratic process from overseas underscores the importance of every voice in the vibrant tapestry of Indian democracy
Step 3: Complete Form-6A:
Fill out Form-6A, titled ‘Application for inclusion of name in Electoral Roll by an overseas elector’:
Online via the Voter Portal Service website – voterportal.eci.gov.in.
By downloading the form from the ECI website – eci.gov.in, filling it in duplicate, and sending it to the Electoral Registration Officer (ERO).
In person with the ERO or Assistant ERO of the constituency, ensuring you have your passport with you.
Obtain the form from the Consulate General of India, free of charge.
The form entails basic personal details such as your name, date of birth, place of birth, constituency, address, passport, and visa details.
Verification Process:
After form submission, the verification process unfolds:
A Booth Level Officer will visit the home address specified in your passport to verify document copies.
In instances where no relative is available for verification declaration, the documents will be sent to the concerned Indian Mission for authentication.
Voting Procedure:
On election day, remember to carry your original passport to the polling station as it will be required for verification purposes.
As Indian expatriates embrace their role in shaping the nation’s future, the opportunity to participate in the democratic process from overseas underscores the importance of every voice in the vibrant tapestry of Indian democracy.
***********************************************************************
Readers
These are extraordinary times. All of us have to rely on high-impact, trustworthy journalism. And this is especially true of the Indian Diaspora. Members of the Indian community overseas cannot be fed with inaccurate news.
Pravasi Samwad is a venture that has no shareholders. It is the result of an impassioned initiative of a handful of Indian journalists spread around the world. We have taken a small step forward with the pledge to provide news with accuracy, free from political and commercial influence. Our aim is to keep you, our readers, informed about developments at ‘home’ and across the world that affect you.
Please help us to keep our journalism independent and free.
In these difficult times, running a news website requires finances. While every contribution, big or small, will make a difference, we request our readers to put us in touch with advertisers worldwide. It will be a great help.
For more information: pravasisamwad00@gmail.com