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- Dubai 04:27 05:45 12:20 15:47 18:49 20:07
Indian election officials check electronic voting machines (EVM) at a distribution centre in Ghaziabad, Uttar Pradesh state on April 9, 2014. Indians began voting April 7 in the world's biggest election, which is set to sweep the Hindu nationalist opposition to power at a time of low growth, anger over corruption and warnings about religious unrest. Elections are being held in nine phases from April 7 until May 12. (AFP)
A revised draft bill to provide voting rights to NRIs through postal ballots could be finally ready by September. Last week, the Supreme Court of India directed the government to finalise the draft bill by September 15.
The original bill based on the proposal by the Election Commission in India speaks of granting voting rights to NRIs through postal ballots. The government has already expressed its commitment to the proposal and said that it would change the law accordingly.
Now, the draft bill is being revised to incorporate voting right for not just NRIs living abroad but also migrant workers living within India but outside their hometown.
Another crucial development for Kerala NRIs is that the state may get its own NRI Commission, with the body based on a similar set up in the state of Punjab.
Minister for Cultural Affairs in the Kerala Government KC Joseph has promised that the state would get its own NRI Commission by September.
With an increase in the number of cheating related court cases being filed by NRIs, the NRI Commission would exclusively deal with such cases apart from addressing other issues including criminal cases and property disputes.
NRIs will have to register themselves with the Commission and furnish all details related to their property ownership etc. to avail its services.
The Commission in Kerala will be based on the model adopted in Punjab. Most Indian states have an NRI Commission and in Kerala, various organisations such as Norka, have been partially performing this role. The Non Resident Keralites Affairs Department was set up by the Government of Kerala in 1996.
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