The Supreme Court has given a week to the Centre to decide whether it would amend the election law or rules to allow non-resident Indians (NRIs) to vote by postal or e-ballots during polls. A bench headed by Chief Justice of India JS Khehar noted that the Centre had agreed to the recommendation of the Election Commission (EC) to make the changes to facilitate NRIs to use proxy voting on the lines of defence personnel.
However, the poll panel left it to the Centre to decide whether the e-ballot facility should be allowed through an amendment in the Representation of People’s Act (RPA) or the rules.
The government had on November 18, 2016, sought time from the SC to respond.
On Friday it asked the court for more time.
“We afford one further opportunity to the Union of India to take a final decision, whether the proposals accepted by it need to be implemented by way of an amendment to the provisions of the RP Act or the rules framed there under,” the bench said in its order.
“If you want to change the rules tell us how much time you will take and if you want to amend the law let us know when you will bring the bill,” the CJI told the law officer appearing for the Centre, fixing July 21 to hear the matter again.
source:HT
