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Voting from abroad should be simplified for NRIs: Indian-American community leader Prem Bhandari
President of Rajasthan Association of North America, he discussed the need for easier voting mechanisms for NRIs, emphasizing the importance of voting accessibility through consulates or other innovative methods.
Indian-American community leader Prem Bhandari during an interview with New India Abroad. / Courtesy Photo
Indian-American community leader Prem Bhandari has advocated for setting up an easier mechanism through which non-resident Indians (NRIs) living abroad can cast their votes during elections in India.
Speaking to New India Abroad in an exclusive interview, Bhandari suggested Indians living abroad should be able to vote at their consulates or through other innovative methods.
"If an NRI currently wants to vote, he will have to travel to the place listed on his Indian passport in order to do so. This is not practical. It will also take a lot of expenditure, from let's say $2000 to $10000," said Bhandari.
He said that he would meet Prime Minister Narendra Modi to discuss ways to streamline the voting process.
“This is what I'm trying to convey to Prime Minister Narendra Modi and I will also meet him on this issue so that Indians are able to vote through their consulates abroad or through other methods. In India, I also think people are now able to cast their vote from their homes. So, we have to devise innovative methods," he added.
The Rajasthan Association of North America (RANA) leader also lauded the global community of Indian workers and said that the "US health system has been doing well primarily because of the presence of strong Indian-origin doctors”.
Bhandari concluded the interview on an optimistic note saying India could again live up to its ancient moniker of 'Sone ki Chidiya' (golden bird) and praised PM Modi for his efforts during his 10-year tenure.
"Any Indian can currently go to any part of the world but you can't take away his love for the country. This is the vision of PM Modi. And Indians must adhere to this vision for a 'Viksit Bharat' (developed India)," said the Indian-American.
Bhandari, along with other members of the Overseas Friends of Ram Mandir organization, made headlines in January 2024 for distributing laddoos or Indian sweets at Times Square in New York ahead of the inauguration of the Ram Mandir in Ayodhya, India.
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