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Expats welcome move to allow voting in India

Union Minister for Overseas Indian Affairs Jagdish Tytler announced this at a two-day meet of non-resident Keralites in Thiruvanthapuram on Friday. The matter, however, is before the Election Commission for approval.

Nitin S., Senior Product Manager, IT Company, said: "The NRIs have contributed immensely to the economic growth of the country. It is indeed a welcome move that the government has chosen to allow Oversees Indians to vote. I used to vote when I was in India, but never had a chance ever since I came to Dubai. Now, I am looking forward to exercising my franchise."

R. Naushad, General Secretary, Texas, said: "It's a very good proposal as we have been fighting for the past many years to be included in our country's electoral process. The first step that the government can take is to include our names in the voting list so that people going to the country can vote. We can even study the option of conducting oversees voting through the consulate by installing the necessary infrastructure such as electronic voting machines which other countries like Philippines are doing."

Amin Rajwani, Partner, Rangmanch, said: "I feel great as I haven't ever voted in my country earlier. Every citizen should be given the right to choose their government and with this proposal, our dream to do so comes a little bit closer. I am definitely looking forward to seeing what happens with this proposal."

Anwar Basha, Founder of Tamil Nadu Cultural Association, said: "I have been staying in Dubai for the past 20 years and have never been able to vote. Although it seems difficult to do so, the proposal however, gives us hope that sometime in the future, our children's children will be able to participate in the country's electoral process."

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