Left objects to NRI online voting

Thiruvananthapuram: There were differences of opinion on the online voting facility for expatriates at the all-party meeting convened by Chief Minister Oommen Chandy here on Thursday.

The UDF supported the move while the Opposition raised doubts over it. The LDF leaders sought more time to examine the technical aspect of online voting.  They wanted to make it error-free and agreed to  inform the government of their stand before Wedne-sday next.

The meeting decided to ensure voting right to the expatriates in the local self-government bodies’ elections. There was opposition to allowing proxy voting for NRIs due to chances of irregularities.

Mr Chandy said that granting NRIs the right to vote was under the consideration of both the central government and the Election Commission. The all-party meeting should inform the commission of the type of voting to be implemented in the state.

The government had  hel-ped the expatriate Malay-alis to come here and vote in the last Assembly elections.  But only two to three per cent of the people made use of the facility.

Cultural minister K.C. Joseph, agriculture minister K.P. Mohanan, aocial selfare minister M.K. Mun-eer and Opposition leader V.S. Achuthanandan and others were present.