Two-fold jump in NRIs registering as voters: Govt and EC data

New Delhi, December 24 : The number of NRIs registering themselves as ‘overseas electors’ has seen a two-fold jump in the last three years, latest government and EC data show.The figure, however, is far too less when compared to the number of Indians living abroad and entitled to vote here.The issue of voting by NRIs in Indian elections is being debated again with the government moving a bill in the Lok Sabha to extend proxy voting rights to them on the lines of service voters.The Bill says the necessary provision of coming to India to cast ballot caused “hardship” to overseas electors.As of now, non-resident Indians—essentially people living or working abroad who have not given up their Indian citizenship—can cast their vote in the constituencies they are registered in.This means that they first have to register themselves as voters and then take a long flight to India be present on election day.The hesitation to spend money and make travel plans to vote in India is reflected in the data available with the Election Commission and the government on ‘overseas electors’.