New Delhi, December 07: Lok Sabha today witnessed a demand for giving voting rights to Non-Resident Indians, with a Congress member criticising the denial of the privilege to such nationals despite their immense contribution to the country”s economy. Raising the issue during Zero Hour, Anto Antony said there are 50 lakh NRIs and they are denied voting rights because of certain guidelines of the Election Commission, like a person should not have stayed away from his residence for more than six months.
He said the NRIs are taking part in the country”s affairs and participating in nation-building. Despite their immense contribution and participation in nation-building, overseas Indians are denied voting rights.
“They are denied the basic right to franchise,” said Antony, an MP from Kerala which has about 21 lakh NRIs. He pressed for amending such a clause and insisted that the EC should consider the passport and the permanent address mentioned therein as a criteria.
Antony noted that a bill had been brought in 2002 which was in limbo.
—PTI–