The Union government’s decision to implement the Election Commission’s suggestion to allow Indian expatriates to cast their votes in the general elections has been welcomed by various bodies working to protect the interests of non-resident Keralites in the State.
These forums, however, shared their apprehensions about the dangers that could creep into the idea in its implementation stage.
Attakkoya Pallikkandy, chairman of the Indo-Arab Confederation Council, a forum that works for the interests of non-resident Keralites in the Gulf countries, said delay in the actual implementation of the decision would be a cause for worry.
“Though it was promised long ago and indirectly announced now, the government is yet to finalise the modalities,” Mr. Pallikkandy said. The sincerity of the government would be evident from how fast and effectively the decision was implemented, he said.
Kasaragod MLA N.A. Nellikkunnu, who himself was a non-resident Keralite for several years, said it was being demanded by Pravasis for a long time now. “It’s not just about having one’s name on the voter list. The expatriates should be able to cast their vote from wherever they are when elections are held back home,” he said. Even some underdeveloped countries such as the Philippines had such a facility in place, he said.
Important for Kerala
State Pravasi Welfare Board chairman P.M.A. Salam hailed the government move, saying that democracy would be meaningful only if non-residents were allowed to vote. “The decision holds greater significance for a State such as Kerala which has several lakhs of people working abroad,” he said.
He says the modality of implementing the decision will be significant.
“Be it proxy vote, e-ballots, or polling centres at embassies, the method should be foolproof since the decision is coming at the end of a long wait,” Mr. Salam said.
The Kerala Pravasi League welcomed the decision, even as it shared worries of it being delayed for some reason or the other.
“There seem to be some forces scared of Pravasis getting what is fundamentally due to them,” S.V. Abdulla, senior vice-president of the league, said. “We are sure that the political circles will begin to take expatriates seriously once the decision is implemented,” he said.
Organisations working for non-resident Keralites seek fast, foolproof implementation of decision.
