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.
