SC moved for NRIs' right to vote from abroad

The plea filed by counsel Haris Beeran said that while parliament recognises the legitimate constitutional right of all NRIs to join the democratic process in the country, but the same stands stifled by the way this has been incorporated in section 20A of the Representation of the People (Amendment) Act, 2010.

Beeran said section 20A of the Act “is not in consonance with the objects and reasons behind promulgating it”.

The intent of parliament was to recognise the legitimate constitutional right of all NRIs to join the democratic process but the same was frustrated by enjoining upon the NRI voters to come to their constituencies to cast their vote.