Indian expatriates are urging the government to grant them permission to cast their votes electronically for next month’s national elections.

Non-resident Indians (NRIs) have been given the right to vote for the national election, set to begin on April 7, but only if they are present in their constituencies at the time of the election.

This means that would-be voters would need to travel back home to be able to exercise their voting rights after registering online.

Several expatriates in the Kingdom have expressed disappointment at this rule and have called on the government to begin biometric voting in order to give them the chance to take part in the election.

“It’s been almost 15 years that I have not had the chance to be part of any election. I am never able to travel back home due to my hectic work schedule. I was hoping that the government would at least consider online voting this year,” said Zubair Siddique, a Jeddah-based resident.

“Several NRIs are under the mistaken impression that the election commission does not consider them fit to vote for their constituencies since they are away from the country and as such, lack knowledge about prevailing political systems,” said Ahmed Naseem, an Indian expatriate based in Riyadh.

He added that several countries have implemented online voting and that India is still lagging behind.

“The government spends huge amounts of money on the “Pravasi Bharatiya Divas” (English for Non-resident Indian Day) to keep NRIs connected to their home country. They should also find a way for implementing an online voting system,” he said.

Although millions of NRIs continue to demand voting rights, most consider it impractical to travel and spend money just for the sake of voting.

Habib Ahmed said that he always makes sure to register online and travel to India during elections in order to vote for his favorite candidate. “Every citizen should exercise the right to vote, no matter where he lives. However, we have an enduring demand to the government of India for online voting. It seems, though, that the Election Commission is uncertain about such a move. To get this kind of change requires more time and effort,” he said.

Indian Consul-General Faiz Ahmed Kidawi said: “The idea of online voting is more than welcomed. NRIs should be given the facility to cast their votes, but only when the government implements a proper system and precautions.”

Indians account for the largest expatriate community in Saudi Arabia.

At least 65 percent of Indian expats in the Kingdom come from the southern Indian state of Kerala. The state boasts near-full literacy. Keralites are known for their awareness of political and economic developments in their own state, as well as at the national level.