Delhi:The Pravasi Legal Cell has requsted that all NRIs, including those in the Gulf region, be given the right to vote in next year’s assembly elections in states including Kerala, Tamil Nadu, West Bengal, Assam, Pondichery .The demand was made in a representation to the Union Law Minister, External Affairs Minister and the Election Commission.The Election Commission of India (ECI) has said it is ready to give expatriates the right to vote by electronic postal ballot in next year’s assembly elections in states including Kerala, Tamil Nadu, West Bengal, Assam and Pondichery. The Election Commission of India has sought the views of the Ministry of Law and the Ministry of External Affairs to implement this decision. But the Ministry of External Affairs has stated that NRIs in the United States and some European countries will be given the right to vote as a first step towards giving NRIs the right to vote by postal ballot.The decision to give expatriates the right to vote by postal ballot is welcomed by Pravasi Legal Cell , but the expatriate community in the Gulf region should be included in the first phase, said PLC Officials . The petition is filed by Advocate Jose Abraham and Babu Francis, Kuwait Country Head of the Pravasi Legal Cell, representing the Gulf region. The Supreme Court is considering a petition filed by organizations, including the Pravasi Legal Cell, seeking the right to vote for expatriates.
Expatriates in the Gulf should be given the right to vote in the upcoming elections: Pravasi Legal Cell submitted representation
