Overseas Indians showed significant enthusiasm in registering as voters, with nearly 120,000 electors enrolling for the 2024 Lok Sabha elections. However, despite the large number of registrations, voter turnout was disappointing. According to the Election Commission (EC), 119,374 overseas electors were registered, with Kerala leading the way with 89,839 registrations. In contrast, in 2019, 99,844 overseas electors had registered.
Disappointing Participation Across States
Out of the 119,374 registered overseas electors, only 2,958 traveled to India to cast their votes. Of these, an overwhelming 2,670 voters were from Kerala. Other large states, such as Karnataka, Uttar Pradesh, and Tamil Nadu, saw zero participation. Gujarat, the home state of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, saw only two of 885 overseas electors casting their votes. Similarly, Maharashtra reported just 17 votes out of 5,097 registered NRI electors.
Minimal Increase in Overseas Elector Numbers
Although the number of registered overseas electors increased by over 19,500 compared to the 2019 elections, the turnout remained dismal. The EC classifies overseas electors as non-resident Indians (NRIs) eligible to vote in national, state, and local elections. Under current laws, these electors must travel to India and present their original passport to cast a vote.
Challenges in Voting for Overseas Indians
Despite the large number of registered electors, participation remained low due to several challenges. For example, Andhra Pradesh registered 7,927 overseas electors, but only 195 traveled to vote. Similarly, in Assam, none of the 19 registered electors voted, and in Bihar, none of the 89 overseas electors participated. Goa also saw zero participation, with no votes cast by its 84 overseas electors.
Calls for Voting Reforms
The low turnout has raised calls for reforms to make voting easier for overseas Indians. In 2018, the Lok Sabha passed a bill to allow proxy voting for overseas electors, but it never made it to the Rajya Sabha. In 2020, the EC proposed extending the Electronically Transmitted Postal Ballot System (ETPBS), which is currently available only to service voters, to overseas electors. However, the government has yet to take action on this proposal. The EC noted that many overseas electors face barriers such as high travel costs and work or education commitments abroad, which prevent them from participating in the elections.
