The biggest event, i.e. Lok Sabha election, of democracy is just around. The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) has fastened its seatbelt to peg 3+ crore Indians across the globe. Like permanent citizens, the NRIs have geared up because they can cast their prestigious vote this time.

An article on Bloomberg Quint reads- “Why should they (NRIs) be deprived of their right to vote when the Constitution gives every citizen above the age of 18 this right,” asked SK Mendiratta, Former Legal Counsel, the Election Commission (EC).

Before this time, the Representation of the People Act of 1951 was in practice. No NRI could participate in elections in India till the year 2010.  Notably, the winter session of parliament in 2018 amended the RP bill. It nodded to include residents of 114 countries with the Indian passport in the Election Commission of India’s voter list. Simply put, the immigrants of this country can take part in the general elections this time.

Eligibility Criteria for Voter ID Card: There are certain norms that the Indian diaspora ought to look into before applying for the NRIs voter ID card:

• The person should be at least 18 years old or more.
• He/she should possess Indian citizenship.
• The person with other country’s citizenship cannot vote.

Online Method to Apply for NRI Voter ID:

Remember that you should go through the process of voter id online registration, first. Sign in with credentials, like password and user id. However, the following steps make application procedure a walkover. But, if the registration doesn’t support for your location, you can try the offline method to apply for the same.

• Go to the National Voters Services Portal.
• To download Form 6A, click the second option-“Apply online for registration of overseas voters”.
• Fill the requisite information, including personal, residential and constituency based, in the next window.
• Subsequently, upload all supporting documents, attested by the competent authority of the Indian Mission in the foreign.
• Upload your photograph.
• Review the declaration.
• Input the Captcha code.
• Click ‘submit’ button.

Offline Method to Apply for NRI Voter ID:

As aforesaid, you can apply for the NRI voter ID directly with the ERO office. Visit there with all supporting documents.

• Fill the form 6A for overseas citizens.
• Enclose the photocopy of your passport/visa, residential and birth proofs.
• Paste your photograph on the form.
• Submit it.

How can NRIs do “voter id search by name”?

• Go to https://electoralsearch.in/
• Type the name.
• Select age, gender, state, district and assembly constituency.
• Input the Captcha code.
• Hit the ‘Search’ tab.

The list will appear on the screen. You can select yours and download it.

How can NRI cast vote in general elections in India, 2019?

For their convenience, the Election Commission avails two options- Proxy Ballot and e-Ballot.

1. Proxy Ballot: It’s a privilege to cast the vote on behalf of a non-resident. By filling a proxy voting form, a decision-making body/person delegates his/her power to express his/her franchise (vote) in his/her absence. This provision enables millions of immigrants who left the country. They can use this right now.
2. e-Ballot: It’s the best alternative to franchise your vote from anywhere in foreign. The registered NRI voters can

• Download his/her ballot, which is allotted as per constituency.
• Mark a preferred party.
• Seize it in an envelope.
• Seal it.
• Mention the credentials on it.
• Put it into another envelope.
• Deliver it to the returning officer.