Supreme Court gives Centre 6 weeks to devise modalities for NRI e-ballots

The Supreme Court on Monday granted the government a time frame of six weeks to work out the modalities and other aspects to allow proxy voting and e-ballots for NRIs during in the elections. This development occurred after the apex body examined the feasibility of this fact.

The original petition in this case was filed by Nagender Chindam, who is the chairman of Pravasi Bharat.

"To see our struggle move another step closer to its goal is a matter of huge pride for us. I am so grateful to the apex court for taking up this issue. We are very hopeful that everything will work out in our favour," said Chindam.

The government, in the previous hearing informed the Supreme Court that it accepted the Election Commission's (EC) view that the option of voting through proxy or an e-postal ballot system could be considered for NRIs who want to cast their vote during elections in India.

It also added that the proposal was accepted by the government in letter and spirit and that a committee had been set up to devise the modalities of its implementation.

Earlier, an EC panel had recommended allowing voting for the NRIs through proxy and e-postal ballot. The poll panel had ruled out the possibility of allowing NRIs to vote through the Internet or at diplomatic missions abroad for the time being.

In a report submitted to the Supreme Court, the EC had said " The option of voting through proxy appointed by overseas elector as well as "e-postal ballot, where blank postal ballot paper is transferred electronically to the NRI and returned by post can be considered."

The EC report was submitted by a committee formed to look into the issue following a Supreme Court order. According to the EC, the e-postal ballot system has almost no risk of manipulation, rigging or violation of secrecy.

The EC had said the system can be initially tried in "one or two constituencies in elections to the legislative Assemblies".

It added that the system can then be "scaled up to more Assembly elections and finally Parliamentary elections if found feasible, practicable and meeting the objectives of free and fair elections."