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**Summary:**

The Election Commission of India (ECI) is considering introducing postal ballots for Non-Resident Indian (NRI) voters. The Chief Electoral Officer of Kerala is pushing for this initiative, particularly for the 2026 Assembly elections in the state, which has a large NRI population. The process would likely involve issuing ballots through Indian embassies and using a system similar to the Electronically Transmitted Postal Ballot System used for service voters. Kerala has a significant portion of India’s registered overseas electors.

**News Article:**

**Overseas Voting Could Get Easier: India Considers Postal Ballots for NRIs**

*Thiruvananthapuram, September 11, 2025* – The Election Commission of India (ECI) is actively exploring the possibility of introducing postal ballots for Non-Resident Indian (NRI) electors, potentially revolutionizing the voting process for millions of Indians living abroad.

Kerala’s Chief Electoral Officer, Rathan U. Kelkar, revealed Thursday that his office has formally requested the ECI to implement the new system in time for the 2026 Assembly elections in the state. Kerala has a high proportion of NRI voters, primarily located in West Asia.

“The ECI is seriously considering the introduction of postal ballots for our overseas electors,” Mr. Kelkar stated on the sidelines of a workshop on inclusive elections. “The plan is to issue these ballots through Indian embassies abroad, ensuring a secure and accessible process.”

Currently, NRI voters must travel to their registered polling station in India and present their passports to cast their vote. The proposed postal ballot system would mirror the existing Electronically Transmitted Postal Ballot System (ETPBS) used for service voters. Under this system, ballots are transmitted electronically, and marked ballots are returned by post.

Mr. Kelkar emphasized that his office has been actively pursuing this matter and holding discussions with ECI officials to streamline the implementation process.

Of the 120,000 overseas electors registered for the 2024 Lok Sabha polls, a substantial 89,839 were from Kerala. The vast majority of these voters are male (83,765), with 6,065 women and nine transgender electors registered. The number of registered NRI voters in Kerala has been steadily increasing.

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