TIA correspondent
RIYADH: The Chief Election Commissioner of India S Y Quraishi has said that allowing voting rights to the Non Resident Indians (NRIs) is a complex issue. He however said that the commission is preparing mechanism through which the expatriates could vote in the next general elections.
Speaking at a function organized by the Aligarh Muslim University Old Boys Associ-ation, (AMUOBA) Riyadh chapter, here Quraishi said: “We are trying hard to know how it can be worked out. The Indian diaspora includes both non-resident Indians (NRIs) and Persons of Indian Origin (PIOs), but at the moment we are trying to extend voting rights to NRIs only.”
On Muslim participation in the election process of India, Quraishi said an estimated 150 million Muslims who are eligible to vote are utilizing their right to franchise.
Senior journalist Saeed Naqvi who was the guest of honor at the function praised the work done by the AMUOBA Riyadh chapter. He said that India Muslims are progressing but added much more needed to be done for them.
In his presidential note, Indian Ambassador Talmiz Ahmed said that Sir Syed Ahmed Khan was a great visionary leader and in many ways, ahead of his times.
Over 500 people mostly AMU alumni attended the function AMU alumni. AMUOBA president, Mohammad Zaigham Khan, vice president Suhail Ahmed and general secretary Taquiddin Mir played an important role in making the function a success.