SC clears deck for NRI voting, issues notices to EC, Centre

In a significant development, the Supreme Court on Monday issued notices to the Election Commission (EC) and the Centre directing them to take steps to ensure that NRIs are also able to vote.

According to reports, an apex court bench headed by Chief Justice HL Dattu today said that the NRIs must be allowed to e-vote within 8 weeks of elections.

The Supreme Court reportedly passed the order on a submission made by the Centre on the feasibility of allowing NRIs' voting rights during elections.

A plea to this effect was also filed by Pravasi Bharat chairman Nagender Chindam.

"While the government has been providing varied facilities to the Indian diaspora abroad and has thrown open its doors for NRIs to contribute to the economy, fact remains that if these voting rights are allowed, it will give a huge boost to the country on several fronts too," Chindam said while filing his plea.

"We have full faith in our justice system, we are hoping for positive outcome on our case soon," he added.

The apex court had earlier asked the Centre to make its stand clear on the Election Commission's proposal for allowing NRIs to cast their votes through proxy voting and e-ballots in polls in India.

An apex court bench headed by Dattu had granted four weeks' time to the Centre to respond to the proposal prepared by a 12-member committee led by Vinod Zutshi, Deputy Election Commissioner, for 'Exploring Feasibility of Alternative Options for Voting by Overseas Electors'.

This case was last heard on November 14 last year. (Zee News)