The Hindu Editorial: Voting without borders

Today’s The Hindu Editorial has the same title as ours and carry similar content.

Read on:

http://www.hindu.com/2010/01/11/stories/2010011155190800.htm

Prepare technology before thinking of NRI voting rights: BJP

BJP spokesperson Prakash Javadekar rightly said:

“For giving voting rights to NRIs, government will have to prepare the technology roadmap….start preparations right today.. .  NRIs cannot come be expected to come to India to cast their vote, some technological arrangement will have to be made“.

Read More at:

http://www.zeenews.com/news594054.html

One more step closer! NRI can vote soon: Manmohan Singh

Here is what PM Manmohan Singh said on Pravasi Bharatiya Divas-2010:

“I recognise the legitimate desire of Indians living abroad to exercise their franchise and to have a say in who governs India,” the Prime Minister told the annual conclave for the Indian diaspora.

“We are working on this issue and I sincerely hope that they will get a chance to vote by the time of the next regular general elections,” he said at the eighth edition of Pravasi Bharatiya Divas.

More info:

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/NRI-can-vote-soon-Manmohan-Singh/articleshow/5423211.cms

http://news.rediff.com/report/2010/jan/08/nris-may-soon-get-to-cast-their-vote-pm.htm

Petition submitted to Indian Embassy

We are happy to inform all those who supported our efforts that we have kept our promise!

On Thursday 17th Dec, we (Shivakumar,  Ritambhara  and Mahesh Shastry)  submitted our petition and signatures to Mr. Sanjay Sinha, Minister for personal and community affairs at  Indian Embassy, Washington DC.  Mr. Sinha gave us a warm welcome, patiently listened to our demands for absentee voting and extended all help possible in this regard. He will submit the petition and signatures to the Ministry of Home Affairs and Ministry of Parliamentary affairs, Government of India.  He suggested us that we also bring up NRI voting  issue whenever we happen to meet any Parliamentary Minsiters.

With this recognition of Voters Without Borders, surely a pressure will be built on the Government of India to extend voting rights to Non Resident Indians and temporary migrants within India.

Jai Hind!