The Supreme Court of India has directed the Government of India to enable e-voting facility for the Indians living abroad. This historical decision will let the NRIs to vote online making things better for the Electorate. Earlier, NRIs used to fly back home to cast their vote during elections but now they can vote for their favourite candidate with a click of a mouse. The Election Commission had earlier recommended e-ballot voting for Indian passport holders abroad. The Government had given voting rights to the NRIs in 2010, but as per the rule – the voter has to be present in their constituency on the day of voting. But with this things might change for better. The Central Government had told the Supreme Court that the EC’s recommendation to extend voting rights to NRIs through postal ballots have been accepted in letter and spirit. Taking note of the submissions, a bench comprising Chief Justice HL Dattu and AK Sikri asked the Government to inform it about “further steps taken to implement the suggestions.”
… However, although I-voting or e-voting or online voting sounds good many security experts are still skeptical about this system given the security risks and the fear of hacking makes. Even countries like the US, France and Switzerland are not yet fully ready for online voting despite some states and regions allowing e-voting.
The larger debate in India though is less on the risks of Internet Voting and more on the propriety of a Court order to make voting hassle free for non-residents. Few, however, would remember that Narendra Modi had experimented with E-Voting for local elections in Gujarat many years back when he was the Chief Minister.
Full Article: E-voting for NRIs – Estonian experience and Concerns.