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As of now, official communications from Indian embassies confirm that no alternative voting mechanism has been notified
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Therefore, for the current election cycle, NRIs who wish to vote must register and be physically present in India
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While reforms are underway, meaningful overseas voter participation will depend on how quickly these proposed systems are implemented
As India prepares for another landmark general election, the question of voting rights for Non-Resident Indians (NRIs) once again comes into focus. With over 3 crore Indians living abroad, enabling their participation in the democratic process has been an ongoing policy discussion. While significant steps have been taken over the past decade, voting access for NRIs remains limited in practice.
Until 2010, NRIs were not permitted to vote in Indian elections. This changed with an amendment to election laws that allowed overseas Indians to register as voters in their home constituencies. However, the rule required NRIs to be physically present at the polling booth in India on voting day. Given the cost, time, and logistical challenges of international travel, voter participation remained extremely low, with registrations numbering only in the thousands.
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To be eligible to vote, an NRI must be at least 18 years old and must not have acquired foreign citizenship
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Registration is mandatory and must be done with the Election Commission of India (ECI)
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Eligible NRIs can apply online through the ECI website by filling out Form 6A, meant specifically for overseas electors
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Applicants must identify their relevant constituency, complete the form, and upload self-attested copies of required documents
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Alternatively, the completed form and documents can be sent by post to the concerned Electoral Registration Officer
Currently, the only operational method available for NRI voting is in-person voting in India. Registered voters must visit their designated polling station on election day and carry both their voter ID and passport for verification.
Over the years, several alternative voting methods have been proposed. Proxy voting, which allows an NRI to nominate a resident Indian relative to vote on their behalf, was approved through a legislative amendment in 2018. However, detailed implementation guidelines are still awaited. Another promising option is remote voting through e-postal ballots, with pilot projects being tested by government agencies. Despite this progress, these systems are not yet available for widespread use.
