Q: Can a non-resident Indian (NRI) become a voter?
A: A person who is a citizen of India, has not acquired citizenship of any other country and is eligible to be registered as a voter, and who is absent from his place of residence in India owing to employment, education or otherwise, is eligible to be registered as a voter.
How can an overseas Indian make it to the electoral rolls?
He or she has to file an application in prescribed form 6A before the electoral registration officer (ERO) of the constituency in which the place of residence of the applicant in India, as given in the valid passport, falls.
The application can be given in person before the ERO or sent by post, addressed to the ERO concerned. If sent by post, it must be accompanied by a copy of the passport and all relevant documents mentioned in form 6A, duly attested by an officer of the Indian mission in the country concerned.
How can form 6A be obtained?
It can be downloaded from the website of the Election Commission of India (http://www.eci.nic.in) or of the chief electoral officer, Punjab (http://www.ceopunjab.nic.in). It is also available free of cost in Indian missions in foreign countries and offices of EROs in India. (Application form link: http://ceopunjab.nic.in/English/ElectoralRolls/NRI/04FORM%206%20A-English.pdf) How can the postal address of the ERO concerned be obtained?
These are available on the ECI website and can also be obtained from Indian missions in foreign countries.
What documents are required to be enclosed with form 6A?
A recent passport-size coloured photo, photocopy of pages of the passport containing the applicant\'s photograph, other particulars and valid visa.
What other formalities need to be fulfilled at the time of filing the claim application?
If the application is sent by post, the photocopy of documents referred to in the answer to the question above should be got duly attested by the competent official in the Indian mission. If the application is submitted in person before the ERO, the original passport should be produced for verification.
Where is the list of claims and objections?
On the website of the CEO, Punjab, and the notice board of the ERO office.
Is personal appearance of the applicant or hearing parties necessary? If yes, how will the hearing be conducted?
Normally, personal appearance or hearing is not necessary. If all necessary documents duly attested by an officer of the Indian mission are enclosed with the application, the ERO can include the name in the rolls after the statutory notice period of seven days is over. However, if an applicant wishes to submit his application in person to the ERO, he can do so with the original passport, which shall be returned to him after due verification and attestation of documents by the ERO. In such a case, attestation of documents by an officer of the Indian mission is not needed. If there is an objection to the claim for inclusion of a name, the ERO may designate an officer to hear the parties, who will send a report to the ERO for final disposal.
How will an overseas Indian know that his/her name is in the electoral rolls?
The ERO\'s decision will be conveyed to the applicant by post on his address in the foreign country given by him in the form and also by SMS on the mobile number mentioned. Electoral rolls are also posted on the website of the chief electoral officer, Punjab.
What if there are errors in rolls pertaining to overseas voters?
An application (Form 8) is to be submitted to the ERO concerned.
How can an overseas voter whose name is in the poll rolls exercise his/her franchise?
He/she can cast the ballot in person after producing his/her passport (for verification) to the polling staff.
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By Jasdeep Malhotra (COURTESY:Hindustan Times, Dec.12,2011),
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