Postal Ballots for NRIs

Why in news?

• The Chief Election Commissioner has told members of the Indian community in South Africa and Mauritius that the facility to extend the Electronically Transmitted Postal Ballot System (ETPBS) facility to overseas voters is being contemplated.

Current voting process for Overseas Voters:

• Currently, the Election Commission (EC) allows NRIs to register as overseas electors as long as they have not acquired the citizenship of another country.
• But they have to reach their respective polling booths to cast their votes in person on voting day.
• In 2020, EC had written to the Law Ministry proposing NRIs be allowed to vote through postal ballots following which the matter has been under consideration by the government.

Electronically Transmitted Postal Ballot System (ETPBS):

• The Conduct of Election Rules, 1961 was amended in 2016 to allow service voters to use the ETPBS. Under this system, postal ballots are sent electronically to registered service voters.
• The service voter can then download the ETPB (along with a declaration form and covers), register their mandate on the ballot and send it to the returning officer of the constituency via ordinary mail.
• The post will include an attested declaration form (after being signed by the voter in the presence of an appointed senior officer who will attest it).

ETBS and NRI voters:

• In the case of NRI voters, those seeking to vote through ETPBS will have to inform the returning officer at least five days after notification of the election.
• The returning officer will then send the ballot electronically via the ETPBS. The NRI voter can then register her/his mandate on the ballot printout and send it back with an attested declaration in a process similar to the service voter.

PRACTICE QUESTION:

Consider the following statements:

1. The right to cast vote is not a fundamental right

2. NRI settled in foreign land can become an elector in electoral roll in India

3. Individuals in lawful custody of the police and those serving a sentence of imprisonment after conviction cannot vote

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

(a) 1 only

(b) 2 and 3 only

(c) 1 and 3 only

(d) 1,2 and 3

Answer