we actually did it, the government finally confirmed that absentee voting for nris is happening. thank you for sticking with this when it seemed like the rules would never change. let's stay sharp and keep an eye on the implementation process to make sure it all goes through as promised.
October 25, 2010
Final supporters
To: The Prime Minister of India,
Sub: Absentee Voting Facility for Indians Living Abroad (NRIs)
We, the citizens of India residing abroad appreciates your commitment for providing voting rights NRI’s through the recent "The Representation of People’s Bill (Amendment)-2010". However, the Act requires that NRI’s to be physically present at the time of voting. We believe that this clause would defeat the very spirit of the Act for the following reasons:
There are around 1.5 crore Indians living outside India and it is practically impossible to have 1.5 crore Indians travel to India at the same time. Usually elections/nomination dates are announced around 45 days in advance which is a very very short duration to travel.
Here is an example of Indians travelling to India ~ 10 lakhs in USA (rough estimates)
1. Students: 2 lakhs
2. H1-B holders : Considering minimum from the last 5 years and average of 3 lakhs will be there (60,000*5=3 Lakhs)
3. Green cards holders: will be an average of 5 lakhs
For a total of 10 Lakh People:
1. It takes atleast 100 days for the all the passengers to travel to India for voting if all the flights are fully booked.
2. A person who came before the voting day (99th day) will have to wait until the people who came before the 98 days go back So it is not easy for him to go back until people came before him go back. Obviously one has to wait and he is losing the valuable time and money.
3. The cost estimation for 10 lakh people travelling to India and employment loss is estimated approx at a cost of 500 crores of rupees. Please imagine for 1.5 crores of Indians.
The given NRI’s Voting Right is NEGATED without resources in place.
The available options for Absentee voting:
1. Internet Voting
NRIs would use internet to get ballot paper and submit online. This would be the best option if technology permits
2. Combination of Internet and Postal Ballot
NRI’s can download the ballot paper online (from election commission website) and post the ballot to the address indicated on the ballot paper with necessary paper work.
Benefits:
a. Very cost effective.
b. The available technology fits well into this model.
c. The person himself is excercising his franchise.
d. The time frame perfectly suits to posting the ballot paper back.
On behalf of Non Resident Indians, we approach you with great hope and whole heartedly believe that you will take up this matter with utmost urgency.
Sincerely,
Global NRI Voting Rights Campaign Team http://www.NRIVotingRights.info
Copy to:
The President of India
The Leader of opposition party in parliament
The Ministry of Overseas
The Chief Election Comissioner
Note: Donations asked after signing petetion goes to IPetetions.com
Updates
Reached 1,000 supporters
October 18, 2010
Reached 100 supporters
July 19, 2010
6 Comments
It is 2018 lets use technology for this. Other countries figured this out years ago why are we still stuck in the past?
Living in Dubai for 10 years and still care about what happens back home. Flying back just to vote isnt realistic for anyone with a job.
I moved for work but my heart is still in India. Give us a way to cast our ballot from abroad without wasting thousands on flight tickets.
Do it.
PLEASE make this happen. So many of us want to participate but the current rules make it impossible.
Share Petition
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we actually did it, the government finally confirmed that absentee voting for nris is happening. thank you for sticking with this when it seemed like the rules would never change. let's stay sharp and keep an eye on the implementation process to make sure it all goes through as promised.
October 25, 2010
Final supporters
To: The Prime Minister of India,
Sub: Absentee Voting Facility for Indians Living Abroad (NRIs)
We, the citizens of India residing abroad appreciates your commitment for providing voting rights NRI’s through the recent "The Representation of People’s Bill (Amendment)-2010". However, the Act requires that NRI’s to be physically present at the time of voting. We believe that this clause would defeat the very spirit of the Act for the following reasons:
There are around 1.5 crore Indians living outside India and it is practically impossible to have 1.5 crore Indians travel to India at the same time. Usually elections/nomination dates are announced around 45 days in advance which is a very very short duration to travel.
Here is an example of Indians travelling to India ~ 10 lakhs in USA (rough estimates)
1. Students: 2 lakhs
2. H1-B holders : Considering minimum from the last 5 years and average of 3 lakhs will be there (60,000*5=3 Lakhs)
3. Green cards holders: will be an average of 5 lakhs
For a total of 10 Lakh People:
1. It takes atleast 100 days for the all the passengers to travel to India for voting if all the flights are fully booked.
2. A person who came before the voting day (99th day) will have to wait until the people who came before the 98 days go back So it is not easy for him to go back until people came before him go back. Obviously one has to wait and he is losing the valuable time and money.
3. The cost estimation for 10 lakh people travelling to India and employment loss is estimated approx at a cost of 500 crores of rupees. Please imagine for 1.5 crores of Indians.
The given NRI’s Voting Right is NEGATED without resources in place.
The available options for Absentee voting:
1. Internet Voting
NRIs would use internet to get ballot paper and submit online. This would be the best option if technology permits
2. Combination of Internet and Postal Ballot
NRI’s can download the ballot paper online (from election commission website) and post the ballot to the address indicated on the ballot paper with necessary paper work.
Benefits:
a. Very cost effective.
b. The available technology fits well into this model.
c. The person himself is excercising his franchise.
d. The time frame perfectly suits to posting the ballot paper back.
On behalf of Non Resident Indians, we approach you with great hope and whole heartedly believe that you will take up this matter with utmost urgency.
Sincerely,
Global NRI Voting Rights Campaign Team http://www.NRIVotingRights.info
Copy to:
The President of India
The Leader of opposition party in parliament
The Ministry of Overseas
The Chief Election Comissioner
Note: Donations asked after signing petetion goes to IPetetions.com
Updates
Reached 1,000 supporters
October 18, 2010
Reached 100 supporters
July 19, 2010
6 Comments
ridiculous that they expect students to just pack up and fly home for a week. dont they want the youth involved??
It is 2018 lets use technology for this. Other countries figured this out years ago why are we still stuck in the past?
Living in Dubai for 10 years and still care about what happens back home. Flying back just to vote isnt realistic for anyone with a job.
I moved for work but my heart is still in India. Give us a way to cast our ballot from abroad without wasting thousands on flight tickets.
Do it.
PLEASE make this happen. So many of us want to participate but the current rules make it impossible.
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ridiculous that they expect students to just pack up and fly home for a week. dont they want the youth involved??