Non-resident Indians (NRIs) in the UAE are feeling excluded from the democratic process due to their inability to vote in India’s ongoing general elections.
Many NRIs are unable to travel back to India to cast their votes, leading to a significant concern among the diaspora, especially in regions like the UAE with large NRI populations.
Missed Opportunity
Arogya Reddy, the Principal of a Sharjah-based school, expressed his frustration at missing the chance to vote. Having lived in the region for 12 years, he has missed voting in at least two elections. Reddy stressed the need for NRI ballots in Indian missions, suggesting that the government should facilitate voting through postal or online ballots, similar to other countries.
Economic Contributions and Voting Rights
Arijit Nandi, another UAE resident, highlighted the economic contributions of NRIs to India, including repatriated funds and taxes on properties and fixed deposits. Nandi argued that NRIs, despite living abroad, deserve the basic right to vote to avoid feeling disenfranchised.
Exploring Alternative Voting Methods
Since 2011, NRIs have been eligible to vote but must be physically present in their constituencies. The Election Commission of India (ECI) has been exploring alternative methods since 2020, including postal ballots, to enable overseas voters to participate. The ECI’s website also features a dedicated link for overseas voter registration.
Inconvenient and Expensive Travel
Dubai resident Priyadarshee Panigrahi shared his commitment to voting, despite the inconvenience and expense of traveling back to India. He undertook a multimodal journey costing nearly Dh2,300 to participate in the elections. Panigrahi emphasized the need for a reliable voting system for NRIs at UAE missions to ensure they feel included in the democratic process.
A Civic Duty
Ansoo Gupta, originally from Noida, Uttar Pradesh, and now residing in Dubai, has consistently voted in every general election. She emphasized that voting is a civic duty ingrained in her upbringing. Gupta called for India to adopt a reliable method to make the electoral process more inclusive for NRIs, acknowledging the challenges faced by those living farther away.
