Lok Sabha Elections: How Do NRI Voters Vote In India? All You Need To Know

An NRI or an overseas Indian elector is a citizen of India who is absent from the country owing to employment, education, etc.

Students holding a placard take part in a rally to create awareness about the importance of voting, ahead of the upcoming general elections.

Source : Getty

Lok Sabha Elections: The Lok Sabha elections are around the corner, and all the political parties are gearing up to battle it out against each other in the race to the lower house. As far as the voters are concerned, besides the citizens of India, NRIs settled in a foreign country can also vote in the elections.

Who Is NRI Voter ?

According to the Election Commission of India, an NRI or an overseas Indian elector is a citizen of India, absent from the country owing to employment, education, etc, has not acquired citizenship of any other country, and is otherwise eligible to be registered as a voter at the address mentioned in your passport.

How To Enroll As NRI Voter/ Overseas Elector ?

As per the poll body, there are several steps that an overseas elector needs to follow to vote in the elections held in India.

Here Are The Steps

1. Find your polling station and the contact details of election officers in your area.
2. Fill out Form 6A online. Alternatively, download Form 6A from the ECI website. Fill out Form 6A in two copies. Forms are also available free of cost in Indian Missions.

Documents Required 

1. One recent passport size coloured photograph affixed in Form 6A.
2. Self attested photocopies of the relevant pages of the passport containing photograph, address in India and all other.
3. The page of passport containing the valid visa endorsement.

How To Submit Form ? 

According to the ECI website, the form can be submitted in person or by post. If the application is sent by post, a photocopy of each of the documents referred to above should be duly self-attested. Alternatively, you can fill out the form in person at the Electoral Registration Officer or Assistant ERO of the constituency. If the application is submitted in person before the ERO, the original passport should be produced for verification.

Verification Process

According to the ECI, after the form has been submitted, a verification process begins. Booth Level Officer will visit the home address mentioned in your passport and inquire to verify the copies of documents.

In cases where no relative is available or willing to give a declaration for the verification of documents, the documents will be sent for verification to the concerned Indian Mission. The decision of the ERO will be communicated to you by post on the address and SMS on the mobile number given in Form 6A. Electoral rolls are also on the website of the Chief Electoral Officer.

The name of the overseas elector is included in a separate section for "Overseas Electors," which is the last section of the roll of each polling station area. You can use Form-8 to make any corrections in the electoral roll.