Close X
Wednesday, November 27, 2024
ADVT 
India

Enable voting by NRIs in eight weeks, SC tells government

Darpan News Desk IANS, 12 Jan, 2015 10:00 AM
    The Supreme Court Monday asked the government to take steps, within eight weeks, for implementation of e-voting by NRIs after being told the government has accepted the poll panel's recommendation to this effect.
     
    The government has accepted both in "letter and spirit the recommendation of the Election Commission. Further steps are to be taken to implement the suggestions in eight weeks", said a bench of Chief Justice H.L.Dattu and Justice A.K.Sikri in their order.
     
    The order came as government Monday informed the court that it has accepted the EC report on voting by the NRIs.
     
    Appearing for the petitioners Nagender Chindam, Naresh Kumar Hanchate and Shamsheer V.P, senior counsel Dushyant Dave told the court that the recommendation of the panel set up by the Election Commission could be carried out both by the executive order or by taking a legislative route.
     
    At this court said: "They (government) will take the follow-up action. If it is amending the law then they will amend and if it is through an executive order then they will pass it." It also told the government to do it "at the earliest".
     
    Senior counsel Meenakshi Arora, who appeared for the poll panel, told the court that for facilitating NRI voting as suggested by the expert panel would require amending the law as it at present the votes could only be exercised at the polling booth concerned.
     
    In a related plea, the court also sought the response of the Election Commission on the facilities that could be extended to migrant workers within the country to cast their votes for the constituency where they are registered as voters from their native place. 
     
    As Arora said that they could get registered afresh as voters in the city where they are working, the counsel for petitioners said there were enormous difficulties including that of identity in getting registered as voters in a new place.
     
    The apex court Nov 14 had asked the government to consider the report of the Committee for Exploring Feasibility of Alternative Options for Voting by Overseas Electors, set up by the poll panel, recommending electronic or proxy voting by NRIs staying overseas.
     
    The panel had however, rejected the feasibility of NRIs voting at the diplomatic missions. It had also not favoured internet voting till appropriate technology

    MORE India ARTICLES

    Chandigarh Records Two Degrees Celsius Temperature, Punjab Shivers Too

    Chandigarh Records Two Degrees Celsius Temperature, Punjab Shivers Too
    As intense cold swept across Punjab, Haryana and Chandigarh, the minimum temperatures at most places were recorded between two and four degrees Celsius, weather officials said Sunday.

    Chandigarh Records Two Degrees Celsius Temperature, Punjab Shivers Too

    Guru Gobind Singh Epitomized Ultimate Courage: Narendra Modi

    Guru Gobind Singh Epitomized Ultimate Courage: Narendra Modi
    Prime Minister Narendra Modi Sunday hailed Guru Gobind Singh on his birth anniversary Sunday and said he epitomized "ultimate courage" and the spirit of sacrifice.

    Guru Gobind Singh Epitomized Ultimate Courage: Narendra Modi

    Hand Over Dawood Ibrahim, India Tells Pakistan

    Hand Over Dawood Ibrahim, India Tells Pakistan
    India Saturday asked Pakistan to hand over the "country's most wanted" and 1993 Mumbai blasts' mastermind Dawood Ibrahim, while the Congress said it was time for the Narendra Modi government to "walk the talk" and sought to know what it had done so far.

    Hand Over Dawood Ibrahim, India Tells Pakistan

    BJP vs AAP: Taking the Battle to the Social Media

    BJP vs AAP: Taking the Battle to the Social Media
     Armed with state-of-the-art laptops, computers and high-speed internet connections, a team of a dozen young IT professionals supported by hundreds of volunteers on the ground are heading the BJP's 'war room' for the Delhi assembly polls and working round-the-clock to counter their arch rivals - the AAP.

    BJP vs AAP: Taking the Battle to the Social Media

    Stone Hurled At Arvind Kejriwal At Public Meeting

    Stone Hurled At Arvind Kejriwal At Public Meeting
    A youth in his mid-20s Saturday hurled a stone at AAP chief Arvind Kejriwal at a public gathering here, a party member said.

    Stone Hurled At Arvind Kejriwal At Public Meeting

    E-ticketing Launched For Taj Mahal, Humayun's Tomb

    E-ticketing Launched For Taj Mahal, Humayun's Tomb
    Union Minister of Tourism and Culture, Mahesh Sharma, Friday launched e-ticketing facility for the Taj Mahal and Humayun's Tomb on a pilot basis, and a helpline number to ensure safety of domestic and international tourists.

    E-ticketing Launched For Taj Mahal, Humayun's Tomb