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Manama (Bahrain), Mar. 18 (ANI): Indians living in Qatar have welcomed their government’s decision to grant voting rights to Non-Resident Indians (NRIs), but are reportedly confused over the logistics and the manner in which the right to vote would be exercised.

According to a report in the Qatar Tribune, many Indians felt the decision would allow them to participate in the democratic process, but were confused about some of its aspects.

The Gulf News quoted Syed Anwar Jamal, Manager, Dandy Ice-cream, as saying: “The decision to grant voting rights to NRIs was long overdue. I am very happy with the Indian Government’s decision and I have registered in the electoral rolls through the Indian embassy in Doha.”

He added: “I am not bothered about how much I will have to pay to go to India to exercise my voting right. Whatever the cost, I do not want to miss our ‘biggest festival’ - the elections.”

He said: “India is one of the biggest democratic countries in the world and I am proud to be its citizen. I understand that it is not easy for an expatriate to go all the way to India to cast his vote, but it is a trouble worth taking. I urge all my countrymen to get their names enrolled on the electoral list.”

Rashid Khan, Media Coordinator, QEWC, said: “I hail the Indian government’s decision to grant voting rights to NRIs. The right to vote is a basic right which all Indians should have. However, I do not think the provisions of the current law are going to give the average NRI voter an easy opportunity to exercise his right. Had there been a provision for voting in the country of residence, it would have ensured much greater participation of voters.”

He added: “Besides, it will not be easy for workers to leave their workplace to go to their country to vote. Therefore, the Indian government should make provisions to have polling stations at its embassies around the world. In a hi-tech world, developing a database of voters’ details and their assembly and parliamentary constituencies is not a difficult job. The government should try to find ways to ensure greater participation of NRIs in the democratic process of the country.”

Joppachan Thekkekuttu, President of Indian Cultural and Arts Association, said: “The Congress-led government in India has fulfilled its promise to Indian expatriates. By granting voting rights, it has, in a way, recognised the importance of overseas Indians who have helped to boost their country’s economy from abroad.”

He added: “The voting right will offer NRIs an opportunity to take part in the democratic process of their country and give them a new identity. I am sure Indians living abroad will soon have a bigger role in government formation and policies.”

Annie Varghese, Vice President, Indian Cultural Centre, said: “There are some practical problems which must be addressed so that a majority of expatriates can take part in the electoral exercise.”Naveen Jha, an engineer, said: “The Indian government’s decision is welcome, but I feel the procedure for casting the vote is a major hurdle for an average Indian expatriate. It will not be easy for everyone to go to India and vote. In my view, the best thing would have been to hold the polling in the country of residence.”Zafar Iqbal, a construction worker, said: “The new law giving the right to vote to NRIs is not meant for people like us. It is for those who can afford to go back to their constituency at the time of the elections. As far as we are concerned, we neither have the resources nor the freedom to go to India as and when we want. Hence, the law hardly means anything for us.” (ANI)