EC, MEA discussing proposal to enable overseas Indian voters to use e-postal ballot: Govt
text_fields
New Delhi: In order to "iron out" the logistical issues posed by its implementation, the Ministry of External Affairs is in conversation with the Election Commission about facilitating an electronically-transmitted postal ballot system for Indian voters living abroad, the Rajya Sabha was informed on Thursday.
Law Minister Kiren Rijiju stated in a written response that there were more than 1.15 lakh overseas Indian voters as of January 1 of this year.
“The Election Commission of India has taken up a proposal to amend the Conduct of Elections Rules, 1961 to facilitate electronically-transmitted postal ballot system for overseas electors. The matter is under discussions with the Ministry of External Affairs to iron out the logistical challenges involved in the implementation of the proposal,” Rijiju said.
According to the EC website, as of now overseas voter is not issued a photo identity card but they are allowed to vote in person at the polling station by producing their original passport.
The EC has maintained that overseas voters find it difficult to fly down to India to cast their votes.
The minister recalled that earlier, on the recommendation of the poll panel, the Representation of the People (Amendment) Bill, 2018, to enable overseas electors to cast their vote either in person or by proxy, was passed by Lok Sabha in August 2018.
The Bill was pending in Rajya Sabha for consideration but lapsed due to the dissolution of the 16th Lok Sabha.
With PTI inputs