Ahead of the annual Pravasi Bhartiya Diwas, the Modi government assured the NRI community that it is working on providing them voting rights.
“EC is working on it, there are two suggestions -proxy voting or electronic voting machines (EVMs) be kept in embassies or they may come and vote. They will soon come up with a solution,” external affairs minister Sushma Swaraj said while addressing a press conference on the upcoming event.
Parliament had in 2010 passed the Representation of People (Amendment) Bill, 2010 to allow NRIs to vote in Indian elections. An estimated 11 million NRIs are living in various countries across the world.
The 13th edition of the three-day PBD event beginning January 7 has a special significance this year as it will also commemorate the centenary of Mahatma Gandhi's return from South Africa. The government on Monday has assured the NRI community that it is working on providing them voting rights just ahead of the Pravasi Bhartiya Diwas.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi will address the conclave on January 8 while President Pranab Mukherjee will confer Pravasi Bharatiya Samman Awards to distinguished overseas Indians on January 9.
external affairs minister Sushma Swaraj said around 3,000 delegates from the diaspora community from across the world are likely to participate in the event being organized by the ministry of overseas Indian affairs along with Gujarat government.
