The Right to Vote in India has a rich history that needs to be revisited in wake of the huge internal displacement of people in wake of the Covid-19 lockdown. #LetMigrantsVote 1/9
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Dr. BR Ambedkar's vision resulted in Article 326 of the Constitution. It provided that elections would be held on the basis of universal adult franchise. It also prevented exclusion of people from voting or standing for elections due to elitist notions of qualifications. 2/9
Ambedkar emphasised that, ultimately, democratic government was inseparable from the right to vote, and it was voting that would prove to be (one of) the harbinger(s) of political education. 3/9
India’s gaze has, for the first time, been turned towards the “Migrant Labourer”. More settled and privileged sections, including politicians must work to secure them the right and facility to vote. #LetMigrantsVote 4/9
The Indian Constitution guarantees freedom of movement to every citizen and to reside in any part of the country; allowing internal migration inter-se the states in search for better work and opportunities. 5/9
Most migrant voters have voter cards for their home constituency. A 2012 study showed that 78% of migrant labourers surveyed possessed voter ID cards and names present on voting lists of their home cities. 6/9
Due to circular and seasonal migration, it is often not possible for migrants to satisfy the requirements of being an “ordinary resident” under Section 20 of the Representation of People Act, (RP Act), in the host state, to obtain voter cards. 7/9
Migrants are therefore unable to transfer their constituency. Only 10% of migrant labourers surveyed possessed voter IDs in their host cities. #LetMigrantsVote
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In the 2019 Lok Sabha polls, major sender states such as Bihar and UP had among the lowest voter turnout rates at 57.33 per cent and 59.21 per cent respectively, while the national average was 67.4 per cent. #LetMigrantsVote 9/9
