Union Minister Kiren Rijiju addressing a press conference at his residence in New Delhi on March 16, 2023. Photo Credit: PTI
The Election Commission (EC) of India has proposed to change the rules relating to the conduct of elections to facilitate the electronically transmitted postal ballot system for overseas Indian voters and the matter is being discussed with the Ministry of External Affairs. Law and Justice Minister Kiren Rijiju informed the Rajya Sabha on Thursday about logistical challenges in implementing it.
Shri Rijiju said in a written reply that the total number of overseas voters as on January 1, 2023 was more than 1.15 lakh.
Read also: Explained | What is the status of remote voting for NRI?
“The Election Commission of India has taken up the proposal to amend the Operation of Elections Rules, 1961 to facilitate the electronically transmitted postal ballot system for overseas electors. The matter is being discussed with the Ministry of External Affairs to address the logistical challenges involved in the implementation of the proposal,” Mr Rijiju said in a written reply to a question by BJP’s GVL Narasimha Rao.
The minister said that, on the recommendation of the Election Commission, the Representation of the People (Amendment) Bill, 2018 was passed by the Lok Sabha in August 2018 to enable overseas electors to cast their vote in person or by proxy. The Bill was pending for consideration in the Rajya Sabha, but lapsed on the dissolution of the 16th Lok Sabha.
Read also: Remote Voting: On Postal Ballot for NRIs
In response to another question regarding judicial vacancies in High Courts, the Law Minister said that there are a total of 334 vacancies in various High Courts. “At present, there are a total of 118 proposals recommended by the High Court collegium, which are at various stages of processing. Recommendations against 216 vacancies in High Courts are yet to be received from the High Court collegiums,” he said.
The minister said that filling up of vacancies in the High Courts is a continuous, integrated and collaborative process that requires consultation and approval from various constitutional authorities, adding that vacancies keep arising due to retirement, resignation or elevation of judges to the apex court.
Shri Rijiju also said that though there is no provision for reservation in the Judiciary, the Government was requesting the Chief Justices of High Courts to give due consideration to suitable candidates belonging to Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes, Other Backward Classes, minorities and women Go To ensure “social diversity” in appointments to the higher judiciary.