Should NRIs be allowed to vote?

Should NRIs be allowed to vote?

Introduction

An NRI (Non Residential Indian) is a citizen of India who has temporarily moved on to another country for the purpose of education, employment or residence. They can be called an NRI if they stay abroad for six or more months for any of the above mentioned purpose.

The NRIs feel that their one vote can have an impact in the formation of new government in India. They have been demanding the right to cast their vote. Recently the Election Commission in India set up a committee to explore the various modes of voting that can be granted to the NRI's. According to Sushma Swaraj, Minister of External Affairs in India, “NRIs will soon be getting the voting rights as the Election Commission is working on it”. On January 9, 2015, India will be celebrating the Pravasi Bharatiya Divas. January 9 will mark the 100 years of Gandhiji's return from South Africa to India.

So, let’s see if NRIs should be allowed to vote?

Yes

1. An NRI is a citizen of India - Though they migrated to another nation, they still hold an Indian passport. And thus, like every other citizen of India, they should have an access to all the fundamental rights and duties provided by the Constitution. They should also enjoy all the rights enjoyed by every Indian in our nation.

2. Major contributors to economy: NRIs make a major contribution to the economic growth of our country. Thus, they should have a say in the formation of government.

3. Bridging the distance:Voting for a government in India by the NRIs will make them feel as if they are in their homeland. It helps in creating an emotional bridge between the NRIs and their homeland.

4. More responsible than many resident Indians:In India, we can find that most of the people do not even turn up to cast their vote during the election. Such people have been termed as RNI (Resident Non Indians). On the other hand, there are NRIs who want to contribute in the voting system in India. This is where the NRIs stand out against the RNI and thus, an opportunity should be given to an NRI to cast their vote.

5. Last but not the least, an Indian is an Indian, no matter where or with whom he/she stays. It is easy to take away an Indian from India for any purpose. But it is very difficult to take away India from within him as patriotism still stays alive.

No

1. They don’t stay here anymore - NRIs should not be given the right to vote in India, as they chose to leave their country and adopt the culture of another nation. They left their homeland for their own benefits. When they are not staying in India, why should they be given the right to vote?

2. India is a democratic nation. People residing in India elect their representatives for a good governance which doesn’t affect the people staying out of India. And thus, the power of voting should reside with people who stay in the country not with the people, who stay abroad.

3. There are NRIs who have taken up dual citizenship. In such cases, no such voting rights should be granted to them. It is not fair to enjoy the facilities provided by both the nations.

4. NRIs are people who have migrated for the purpose of employment or education. They are contributing to the income of their host country and not their homeland. They help their host country in their economic growth.

5. The common problems in our country are faced by the people residing in India and not by the NRIs. It is the people in India who have to run here and there when the government fails to fulfill their needs. At the same time, the NRIs might be enjoying a good standard of living in another nation unknown of the local problems. If a city or village in India faces an electricity or water problem, it is not the NRIs who suffer. So, how can they decide which ruling party would be better for people living here?

Conclusion

There are debates going on regarding whether the voting rights should be granted to the NRIs. Though NRIs are away from their homeland, they are still an Indian by their heart and soul. But at the same time, if the voting rights are granted to them, they should also try to do justice by casting the vote for the party that would take care of the need of the people in India. They should not cast the vote, just because they have to do it. If the NRIs are granted the right to vote, the winning of a party would also depend on them. Along with that, depends the hope of the people in India, who expect the win of a good governing party.