ECI mulls NRIs postal ballots as Kerala braces for SIR

(KERALA, INDIA) India’s election authority is moving toward a major change for overseas citizens: the planned rollout of postal ballots for NRI voters, with Kerala likely to be the first testing ground ahead of the 2026 Assembly polls. Senior officials say the Election Commission of India (ECI) is in advanced talks with the Central Government to allow remote voting by mail, a step that could finally answer long‑standing demands from Indians abroad who want a practical way to vote without flying home.

Why the shift is happening now

Kerala is preparing for a Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls — a state‑led effort to clean and update voter lists. A key all‑party meeting is slated for September 20, 2025, and officials have flagged that NRI inclusion is a central goal.

Kerala’s Chief Electoral Officer, Rathan U Kelkar, confirmed that while e‑voting was studied, the ECI has set it aside due to cybersecurity worries and the risk of political disputes similar to those surrounding electronic voting machines. By contrast, postal ballots are seen as easier to audit and explain.

Under the plan discussed:
– Indian embassies and consulates would distribute, receive, and dispatch postal ballots to the relevant constituencies in India.
– The system would draw on existing processes used for government officials who vote by mail, giving the ECI an established base to build on.
– The Commission has asked the Centre for the necessary legal approval, targeting implementation before the 2026 Kerala Assembly elections if approvals arrive on time.

Scale and urgency — ECI data

ECI figures highlight why reform matters:
– India’s NRI population: estimated at 13.5 million
– Overseas electors registered in 2024 Lok Sabha: 119,374
– Of these, 89,839 were from Kerala
– NRIs who actually voted in person (nationwide): 2,958
– 2,670 of those were Keralites

Most NRIs stayed away because of the cost and disruption of international travel. Postal ballots would remove that key barrier for voters who remain loyal to their home constituencies but cannot afford a trip just to cast a vote.

International context and advocacy demands

Analysis by VisaVerge.com notes the shift would align India with practices common in many large democracies where citizens abroad vote by mail through diplomatic missions.

Advocacy groups for NRIs have welcomed the discussion, while urging the ECI to keep the process:
– Simple
– Secure
– Transparent

Their wish list includes:
– Clear instructions for voters
– Strong chain‑of‑custody steps
– Public reporting on how many ballots are issued, returned, and counted

Legal change required

The Representation of the People Act, 1950, already allows NRIs to register as overseas electors. But under current rules they must vote in person at their Indian polling station.

• The ECI is asking the Centre to amend the law to enable postal ballots.
• Until such change is approved and rolled out, the status quo remains: NRIs can register online but must be physically present in their home constituency on polling day to vote.

Kerala’s SIR: practical steps and verification

Kerala officials say the SIR — part of a nationwide revision planned to finish by the end of 2025 — will include enhanced verification:
– Government staff will serve as booth‑level officers.
– The state will blend physical checks with electronic verification to tighten data quality.
– The goal: ensure no eligible voter, including those abroad, falls through the cracks.

With the largest share of registered overseas electors, Kerala stands to gain most from a working postal system that gets real ballots into real counts.

Policy moves and timeline

1. The ECI is in “advanced discussions” to operationalize postal ballots for overseas electors, eyeing Kerala’s 2026 polls.
2. The Commission has sought the Central Government’s approval for the legal changes required.
3. Embassies and consulates would likely handle distribution and return of ballots, drawing on existing postal voting infrastructure.
4. E‑voting is off the table for now due to cybersecurity concerns and the risk of controversy.

The next near‑term milestone is the September 20, 2025 meeting with political parties in Kerala. While not a decision‑making forum on national law, it will shape the state’s SIR plan and readiness to support overseas voters once the Centre clears the path.

What would change on the ground (practical steps)

If the change takes effect, implementation would likely include:

1. Registration
   • Overseas electors must still register as NRI voters through the ECI’s portal, using a valid Indian passport and proof of residence abroad.
2. Request and issuance
   • The ECI would issue clear instructions on how to request, receive, mark, and return postal ballots through designated embassies or consulates.
3. Identity and handling at missions
   • Missions would manage identity checks at drop‑off or collection points, seal ballots, and send them to returning officers in India within set timelines.
4. Transparency and deadlines
   • The ECI would publish deadlines, cut‑off dates, and handling standards to maintain a secure chain from the voter to the counting table.

For now, NRIs should ensure they are registered and that their contact details are accurate and up to date, so they can receive any official notices quickly if the new system is approved.

Official voter information and circulars will be posted by the Election Commission of India, which remains the only definitive source for rules and timelines. State‑specific service updates will follow once Kerala’s SIR gets underway.

“Postal ballots are a practical path forward,” said Kerala CEO Rathan U Kelkar, according to officials. NRI leaders, especially in the Middle East, have welcomed the move but emphasize guardrails to protect ballot secrecy and prevent delays.

Operational challenges and success factors

Experts warn that logistics will decide success. Key operational needs include:
– Clear ballot designs and simple instructions
– Multiple return options and surge capacity at missions near deadlines
– Strong chain‑of‑custody and public reporting on:
– Ballots issued
– Ballots returned
– Processing times
– Efficient systems for returning officers in India to record receipt, validate, and count ballots without bottlenecks

If these pieces come together in Kerala, the model could scale nationwide.

The human impact

The stakes are real for families splitting time between hometowns and overseas jobs. A nurse in Muscat or a software engineer in Dublin may follow every debate in Thiruvananthapuram but can’t afford a last‑minute flight.

• The current low turnout — 2,958 nationwide NRI votes in 2024 — illustrates the cost of the present setup.
• A careful, secure mail process could convert political intent into actual votes and better reflect the will of India’s global community.

What to watch next

The coming months will clarify the path to implementation. Critical determinants include:
– The Centre’s decision on legal amendments
– The ECI’s operational plan
– Kerala’s SIR readiness

If timelines hold, Kerala could become the proving ground for a reform that finally brings millions of Indians abroad closer to the heart of India’s elections.