The Election Commission of India has opened registration for Non-Resident Indians to apply for voting rights. Indian citizens living overseas, who have not acquired any other citizenships, are eligible to vote and can visit the ECI website and register for voting rights.

(Follow this link to register as a voter if you are an NRI: https://eci.gov.in/voter/service-overseas-voter/)

However, they wouldn’t be issued voter IDs; their passport would suffice.

According to reports, one crore NRIs would be allowed to vote through postal ballot.

The web portal was launched days after the government cleared a proposal to extend the facility of voting in Assembly and General elections by electronic means and proxy to NRIs by amending the Representation of the People Act.

There are nearly one crore NRIs across the world, of whom 24,348 are registered with the Election Commission, the poll panel informed the government earlier this month.

How to Register

Go to https://eci.gov.in/voter/service-overseas-voter/

Use the interactive map provided to find your polling station and the contact details of Election Officers from your area.

Fill Enrollment Form (Form 6A) online at www.nvsp.in and upload the requisite proofs.

Alternatively, download Form 6A from ECI website www.eci.nic.in. Fill Form 6A in 2 copies. Forms are also available free of cost in Indian Missions.

Documents Required

One recent passport size coloured photograph affixed in Form 6A.

Self-attested photocopies of the relevant pages of the passport containing a photograph address in India and all other

The page of passport containing the valid visa endorsement

The form can be submitted in person or by post

If the application is sent by post, the photocopy of each of the documents referred to above should be duly self-attested.

Alternatively, you can fill the form in person at the Electoral Registration Officer / Assistant ERO of the constituency. If the application submitted in person before the ERO, the original passport should be produced for verification

What Happens after the form Submission: The Verification process

Booth Level Officer will visit the home address mentioned in your passport and enquire to verify the copies of documents

In cases where no relative is available or willing to give declaration for 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

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 for making any correction in the electoral roll

No person can be enrolled on more than one electoral roll i.e. when you enrol as an overseas voter you have to submit a declaration - that you did not get enrolled as a general elector

If you are registered as a general voter, you should surrender your EPIC along with submission of Form 6A

When you return to India you can register as a general elector at your place of ordinary residence

Please remember that you have only one vote. Accordingly, you should not vote for more than one candidate

An overseas elector is not issued an EPIC & you will be allowed to vote in person at the polling station on production of your original passport.

However, e- postal ballots shall soon be provided to NRI Voters.