The Representation of the People Act, 1950, defines an overseas elector as an Indian citizen who has not acquired citizenship of any other country, is eligible to be registered as a voter, and is absent from their place of ordinary residence in India due to employment, education, or other reasons. Such individuals are eligible to be registered as voters in the constituency where their place of residence in India, as mentioned in their passport, is located.
According to Section 20A of the Act, Non-Resident Indians (NRIs) settled in foreign countries can become electors in the electoral roll in India.
However, overseas (NRI) electors are not issued an Electors Photo Identity Card (EPIC). They are allowed to cast their vote in person at the polling station on production of their original passport.
To get registered/enrolled in the electoral roll, an overseas Indian (NRI) needs to file an application in prescribed Form 6A before the Electoral Registration Officer/Assistant Electoral Registration Officer of the constituency within which the place of their ordinary residence in India, as given in their passport, falls. The application, accompanied by a duly self-attested copy of the relevant documents, can be filed in person, sent by post, or filed online through the NVSP portal/VHA mobile app or the website of the Chief Electoral Officer of the concerned state/ECI.
The name of the overseas elector is included in a separate section for "Overseas Electors," which is the last section of the electoral roll of that particular part/polling station area of the constituency where their place of residence in India, as mentioned in their passport, is located.
After enrolment, an overseas (NRI) elector can cast their vote in person at the polling station provided for the part where they are registered as an overseas (NRI) elector.
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