NEW DELHI, Nov. 10, India: The Election Commission is believed to have d favored the proposal of giving voting rights for participation in the state assemblies and parliament to Indian nationals living abroad, The Commission received number of petitions from individuals and organizations demanding. The right to vote in the Indian elections for representation in state legislatures and parliament. The Commission also received number of references from the minister of External A\fairs and law. A private member’s bill was also introduced in Lok Sabh in 1983 to provide for representation in state legislature and parliament to Indian nationals living abroad. After considering the question in detail both rom the legal and practical angle the Commission has found the proposal unworkable and recommended it rejection by the government. Under the existing law only those persons whose names are registered in the electro role are entitled to vote in election of the Lok Sabha and state assemblies, For such registrations the residency in the voters’ assembly constituency is an essential condition The only exception to this rule are certain special categories of voters including President, vice President, Prime Minister, and his Cabinet, members of the Parliament and governors and MLAs and the voters and their wives with the service qualification under section EP of the Indian Representative Act.
Article extracted from this publication >> November 14, 1986
