91Èȱ¬

The Ministry of Overseas Indian Affairs (MOIA) estimates there are over 10 million Non-Resident Indians, or NRIs, living across different parts of the world. But how much of an influence can NRIs have on the political system and government policies in India whilst still living abroad?

Until 2010 NRIs were not allowed to vote until a law was amended by the Indian Parliament which gave NRIs the right to vote, providing they registered their names to the electoral rolls of the constituency that they belong to based on their permanent address as listed on their passport. However, it also requires them to be present, in person, in their constituency on polling day.

A launch was held in Leicester by a group called Overseas Volunteers for a Better India to see how this policy can be changed so that NRIs can make a vote via absentee ballot. In this extract 91Èȱ¬ Radio Leicester’s Kamlesh Purohit speaks to the UK Spokesperson for OVBI, Bhavesh Thakkar, and starts by asking him why he feels this issues is so important…