NRIs must be allowed to e-vote within 8 weeks, orders Supreme Court - Livemint

On 14 November last year, the Supreme Court had asked the Centre to make its stand clear on the EC’s proposal for allowing NRIs to cast their votes through proxy voting and e-ballots in polls in India. Photo: Mint

New Delhi: The Centre on Monday told the Supreme Court that the Election Commission’s (EC’s) recommendations to extend voting rights to non-resident Indians (NRIs) through postal ballots have been accepted in letter and spirit.

Taking note of the submissions, a bench comprising chief justice H.L. Dattu and A.K. Sikri asked the Centre to inform it about “further steps taken to implement the suggestions.” The bench posted the matter after eight weeks, asking the Centre to do the needful at the earliest.

“Since the views and recommendation have been accepted let them go ahead with the follow-up. They will have to carry out the follow-up process at the earliest,” the bench said.

The Centre’s stand was clarified by additional solicitor general P.L. Narasimha , who said certain amendments are required to be carried out and the ministry of law is working on them, taking into consideration EC’s recommendations.

On 14 November last year, the Supreme Court had asked the Centre to make its stand clear on the EC’s proposal for allowing NRIs to cast their votes through proxy voting and e-ballots in polls in India.

The apex court had then granted four weeks time to the government 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”.

In the report, the committee has said it is of the view that e-postal ballot, where blank postal ballot is transferred electronically to NRIs and returned by post, can be employed after validation of the process and pilot implementation in one or two constituencies. The report further said the process can be scaled up for Parliamentary elections, if found feasible, practicable and meeting the objectives of free and fair polls.