Mangaluru: The NRI Forum Saudi Arabia has urged the Karnataka authorities to provide an alternative mechanism for non-resident Kannadigas who have received notices under the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls and are unable to travel to India for physical verification.
A delegation of the NRI Forum Saudi Arabia met Karnataka Health, Hajj and Dakshina Kannada district in-charge Minister U.T. Khader around 1 am on Sunday and submitted a memorandum seeking relief for NRIs. The delegation pointed out that requiring voters residing abroad to be physically present in India to respond to SIR notices could cause considerable hardship.
The forum requested that NRIs be allowed to complete the process by submitting a copy of their passport or through virtual appearance, wherever required.
Khader, despite the late hour, received the memorandum and assured the delegation that he would take up the matter with the Karnataka Election Commission. He also assured them that the possibility of accepting passport copies or facilitating virtual appearance would be discussed with the election authorities and efforts would be made to implement an appropriate arrangement.
The NRI Forum said NRIs who have received SIR notices need not panic and expressed hope that they would not be required to travel to India solely for physical verification.
The demand comes amid growing concerns among overseas Kannadigas over the difficulties involved in responding to SIR notices. Two days earlier, Bhatkal’s Majlis-e-Islah-wa-Tanzeem had submitted a memorandum to the Uttara Kannada Deputy Commissioner, seeking a similar facility for NRIs.
Tanzeem had pointed out that Telangana authorities had issued directions allowing members of an NRI voter’s family to submit the required documents on their behalf, and sought a similar arrangement in Karnataka. The organisation had also submitted a memorandum on the issue to Karnataka Deputy Speaker and Bhatkal MLA Mankal Vaidya.
The NRI Forum delegation included its Saudi Arabia adviser Farooq Mulki, treasurer Ayaz Kaikamba, chief coordinator Rafiq K.H., Abdul Hameed Aramex and Mushtaq M.H.