Why in News?

• Recently, the Government of India told the Supreme Court that it was considering the remote voting facility for Non Resident Indians (NRIs).

About Remote Voting

• A voting mechanism that allows electors to vote from locations other than polling stations assigned, even abroad.
• In India, voting rights for NRIs were introduced in 2011 with amending the Representation of People Act, 1950.
• But the Section 20A of RPA, 1950 mandates NRI voters to present physically to cast their votes.

Other Voting Mechanisms in India

• Electronically Transmitted Postal Ballot:
  • Ballot paper is transmitted through Electronic Means to the service voters.
  • It is for personnel of armed forces, police, government employees abroad and people under preventive detention.
  • Even President and Vice President are also allowed this voting.
• Proxy Voting:
  • Voting by a delegate of a registered voter; introduced in 2003.
  • It is only for "Classified service voters" i.e. personnel of armed forces, BSF, BRO, CRPF etc. can delegate their votes.

Significance

• Universalization of Democratic rights.
• n line with the spirit of Article 326 of the constitution.
• Democracy gets strengthened.

Concerns

• Implementation and administrative challenges.
• Free and transparent voting will be hampered.
• Violates the secrecy of the ballot.