Since the Assembly election schedule for Kerala has announced, the major political fronts, Left Democratic Front (LDF) and United Development Front (UDF) have begun their campaign. The third alternative of the state, Bharatheeya Janatha Party (BJP) also declared their candidates much earlier than the other fronts in at least some constituencies. Delimitation of certain constituencies and the pravasi (Non-Resident Indians) votes are new things, this time.
“Pravasis (Non-Resident Indians) are the least- honored segment of Kerala politics. They had been sidelined even without the voting rights for many years. Now they can at least just be happy for rewarding their citizen right. Many paravasi communities are eagerly waiting for the outcome of the election with their direct participation.”-comments the pro-UDF expatriate organization, Kerala Muslim Cultural Centre (KMCC).
It is unclear how many of them can utilize the ballot this time; but, according to major pravasi leaders, the gulf Malayalis are greatly excited to use their ballot, many of them at first time.
Chandran T, an expatriate from Nadapuram constituency, who was in rush to Vatakara Taluk Office with passport in his hand to make sure that his name has been included in the voter’s list.
“I just came yesterday from Dubai.
This time, my first visit is not towards friends or family; but to Taluk Office to ensure my ballot power. It is my dream comes true for many years since I have been working in Dubai for the last eighteen years.”-says Chandran. There are likens eagerly participating in the poll process this time with more excitement since they have been awarded with voting right, officially.
But when asked still, the number of applicants has been registered less while comparing with mounting numbers of pravasis.
“We are coordinating many activities for the welfare of the pravasi community to make things easier to use their democratic power. But if you ask why there was not much rush to register names through embassies, I would say the process of attestation was costly for common men. The self attestation of documents has been implied last moments. ”-says Ibrahim, the president of Dubai KMCC to Calicutnet .
Saudi KMCC, one of the biggest pravasi organizations in the gulf has already arranged family get together of pravasi family in Malabar region.
Saudi KMCC National Council President and Muslim League Working Committee member Ahmad Kutty Elettil told to Calicutnet that pravasi community would engage in electoral process with more excitement. Even if many of the gulf workers were unable to join the campaign or poll, their family votes would be decisive than ever, he added.Pravasi votes and their family influence are decisive in certain constituencies like Koduvally, he noted.
Other pravasi determined constituencies in Kozhikode district are Nadapuram and newly formed Kuttiyadi.
Many of the assembly constituencies in Malappuram, Thrissur and Kasargod are also decisive with pravasi families.
“Many pravasis had a negative attitude towards the voting until they were credited with voting power.
This is a positive sign to make an impact on society and the governments that pravasis, the vibrant foreign currency earners of the state are decisive factors of our state.”-says Ibrahim.
Pravasi voters can use their valid passports as the identification document since no identity cards are issued, told Election Commission officials to Calicutnet. They can poll their votes at their own polling stations. This time, e-voting or postal ballots are not allowed to pravasis.
In Kozhikode district there are 2687 pravasi voters. Throughout Kerala the number is not more than 8000. A separate voters list has been published for NRIs.
