India election 2019: Can you vote as an expat? How to vote online?
INDIA'S 2019 election is being held across seven phases between April 11 to May 19 in what is the biggest democratic exercise in the world. But can you vote in India’s election as an expat? How can you vote online?
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Can you vote in India’s election as an expat?
There are two options for those wanting to vote from overseas, service voter and overseas elector/NRI voter.
According to the Election Commission of India, to be registered as a service voter you must be either:
- in the Armed Forces of India
- from Assam Rifles, CRPF, BSF, ITBF; GREF in Border Road Organisation; Central Industrial Security Force
- employed under the Government of India, in a post outside India
- member of an Armed Police Force of a State, and serving outside that state
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To register as an overseas elector/NRI voter according to the Election Commission of India:
- You must be a citizen of India, absent from the country owing to employment, education etc.
- You must not have acquired citizenship of any other country and are otherwise eligible to be registered as a voter in the address mentioned in your passport.
Can you vote online in India's elections?
India does not allow online voting for any eligible voters. To cast your vote in the elections you must attend your designated polling station.
The Indian Election Commission has issued a warning to voters after misleading social media posts have claimed voters can take part in the election online.
One such fraudulent post which claimed voters can take part online was uploaded to Facebook and read: “Hello All, Those who hold Indian passport, can now vote online for 2019 elections.
“Please register yourself on https://eci.gov.in There is a link Enroll as NRI voter. Please spread the word in your different groups.”
The message was also circulated on Twitter and WhatsApp, but is categorically false say the India Election Commission.
The statement issued on the Indian Election Commission's website says: “Beware of fake news in social media informing that ‘Those who hold Indian passport, can now vote online for 2019 elections.’
“There is no online voting facility for any category of voter.
“Overseas Indians may submit application for enrolment in form 6A online at nvsp.in or by using Voter helpline mobile app.
“To Cast the vote on the date of poll, an overseas elector may come to his designated Polling station with his Passport as document for identification.”
Voting in India’s elections begins tomorrow, April 11.