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Overseas Indian voters registered as overseas electors in 2024, with Kerala having the most registrations with 89,839. However, only 2,958 overseas electors voted in the Lok Sabha elections, with 2,670 from Kerala alone.

Trend of overseas Indian voter participation in the Lok Sabha elections 2024

In the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, nearly 1. 2 lakh overseas Indians registered as electors in the voter list. This was a rise from 99,844 registrations in 2019.

However, the actual voter turnout was very low. Only 2,958 overseas electors travelled to India to cast their votes, with Kerala contributing the majority (2,670).

States like Karnataka, Uttar Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, Assam, Bihar, and Goa saw zero participation, despite registrations. Gujarat and Maharashtra also recorded minimal turnout, with only 2 and 17 overseas electors voting, respectively.

What are the current voting rights and processes for overseas Indian voters?

Overseas Indians (NRIs) can register as electors if they haven't acquired foreign citizenship. They can only vote in the constituency listed on their passport and must vote in person at the polling station.

Voters are required to show their original passport for identity verification. Voting rights for NRIs were introduced in 2011 through an amendment to the Representation of the People Act, 1950.

Why is the participation of overseas Indian voters so low despite their registration?

The low participation can be the result of several logistical and financial challenges.

Overseas voters must travel to India to cast their votes, which involves high travel costs.

Many also face employment obligations or educational commitments that prevent them from returning to India for elections.

How to improve the participation of overseas Indian voters?

There have been proposals to allow overseas Indians to vote by proxy or through postal ballots. A bill for proxy voting was passed in the Lok Sabha in 2018 but stalled in the Rajya Sabha.

The Election Commission of India has proposed to extend the Electronically Transmitted Postal Ballot System (ETPBS) to overseas voters to allow them to vote from abroad. However, the government has yet to act on these proposals.

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Source: 

The Hindu