The Supreme Court of India has directed the Central government to enable the provision of e-voting to the Non-Resident Indians [NRIs] within eight weeks and this is a good opportunity for the 11 million NRIs to cast their vote. In e-voting, a blank postal ballot paper is emailed to the voter. They should fill it and mail it by post to their constituency.

It was the Election Commission of India which has send recommendations to the government allowing voting for the NRIs through proxy and e-postal ballot. But the EC has ruled out the possibility of voting via Internet or at diplomatic missions abroad for the time being. The government accepted the recommendations of the Election Commission and has appointed a committee to look after implementation.

The Supreme Court of India urged the Union government to make  appropriate orders and amend necessary laws to have the proposal implemented at the earliest in the benefit of the NRIs.  While EC has said to the Court that the e-postal ballot system has less risk of manipulation, rigging or violation of secrecy and it is the best procedure to follow. Initially EC wants to implement this system in one or two legislative constituencies and based on the feedback, the e-postal ballot provision can be spread to more constituencies.

- TVR