1 week Ago By Sandeep Moudgal and Nithya Mandyam
BENGALURU: Karnataka has recorded a dismal turnout of NRI voters during the May 2024 Lok Sabha elections , with none of the 3,148 registered NRI voters in the state casting their ballots. In stark contrast, Kerala led the nation, accounting for 90% of the total NRI votes cast. Several NRIs from the state pointed to soaring cost of airline tickets and conflicting travel schedules, especially during the peak summer season, as major barriers to voting.
"Though it is a fundamental duty to exercise my ballot, the basic economics behind coming to Bengaluru and casting my vote was not in our favour as neither the (election) dates nor airline ticket cost was feasible," said R Kadaba, an NRI based in Southeast Asia, who is a registered voter in Bengaluru, along with his wife. The state's NRI voter turnout was also hampered by bureaucratic obstacles. The registration process for NRI voters requires extensive documentation.
Karnataka ranks 7th nationwide in NRI voter regn; Kerala highest Registration process requires extensive documentation, including attested copies of Indian passports and proof of residence abroad. For many, this was quite a dampener. NRIs also face logistical and financial challenges, as they must be physically present in their constituency to vote.
The absence of online or postal voting further limited their participation, despite a strong desire to engage in democratic process. Karnataka ranks seventh nationwide in NRI voter registration , but its performance pales in comparison to Kerala, which boasts of the highest number of registered NRI voters - 89,839 - out of India's total of 1,10,374. Of those, 2,670 voted in the 2024 elections, contributing significantly to the country's NRI vote tally of 2,958.
Andhra Pradesh, with 7,927 registered NRIs, saw only 195 votes cast. There were 21 other states and union territories that reported zero NRI votes, while six states and union territories had no registered NRI voters at all. In Karnataka, data from the chief electoral officer (CEO) shows all NRI electors in the state are concentrated in Bengaluru, with Bommanahalli constituency having the highest number of registered NRI voters at 173, followed by Mahadevapura at 166 and Jayanagar at 137.
Chamarajpet had the lowest, with just three. Among these voters, 1,260 are males, 579 are females, and one being a transgender, person registered in Mahalakshmi Layout..
