Non-Resident Indian (NRI) voters may soon get the option to cast their votes through postal ballots, with the Election Commission of India (ECI) actively exploring its feasibility.
Kerala Pushes for Postal Ballots in 2026
Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) of Kerala, Rathan U. Kelkar, announced that his office has urged the ECI to introduce this facility in time for the 2026 Assembly elections in the state.
Kerala has one of the largest expatriate populations in India, with most NRIs residing in West Asian countries. This move could significantly boost voter participation among this group.
How It Will Work
Currently, NRI voters are required to physically visit polling stations in their home constituencies and present their passports to cast their votes. The proposed system would allow NRIs to vote using a process similar to the Electronically Transmitted Postal Ballot System (ETPBS) used for service voters:
- Postal ballots would be transmitted electronically to eligible NRI voters.
- Voters would mark their ballots and return them via post to be counted.
- Indian embassies abroad may play a key role in issuing these ballots.
NRI Voter Numbers Continue to Grow
Kerala accounts for the vast majority of NRI electors in India.
- Of the 1.2 lakh overseas electors registered across India for the 2024 Lok Sabha polls, 89,839 were from Kerala.
- Male voters constituted 83,765, women 6,065, and transgender voters nine.
- By January 2025, after the Special Summary Revision, the number of NRI voters in Kerala had risen to 90,124.
Towards Inclusive Elections
The move is part of a broader effort by the ECI to make elections more inclusive and accessible. If implemented, postal ballots could become a game changer for millions of Indians living abroad who want to participate in the democratic process but cannot travel back to vote.
Source: THE HINDU
