Una, October 29 – In a significant initiative towards making democracy more participatory and empowering, the Election Commission of India has launched a new online facility for migrant voters in the Kashmir Division of Jammu and Kashmir. This facility aims to provide voters who are living outside their home region, for any reason, the right to vote from their current location in a secure, simple, and transparent manner.
This online facility has been implemented for the upcoming 2025 by-election for the 27-Budgam Assembly Constituency (Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir). All migrant voters who possess a valid Migrant Certificate issued by the Relief and Rehabilitation Commissioner, Jammu and Kashmir, can avail of this new facility from any part of India.
District Election Officer and Deputy Commissioner, Una, Jatin Lal, stated that migrant voters can vote using the M Form or the C Form by visiting special polling stations established in Delhi, Udhampur, and Jammu. To do this, voters can submit their application at their nearest Electoral Registration Officer office.
A completed M Form or C Form, proof of current residence, and a migrant certificate must be attached to the application. The submitted documents will be verified by the concerned ERO officer on the online portal ERO.NET, and scanned copies of all documents will be uploaded to the portal. The ERO officer will then re-verify the application and complete the final approval process.
The Deputy Commissioner stated that the M Form can be filled out collectively for all eligible members of a family, while the C Form must be filled out individually only. This new system will facilitate easier voting for migrant citizens of Jammu and Kashmir, and they will not be excluded from voting due to relocation. This initiative is a significant step towards making Indian democracy more empowered, inclusive, and participatory.
The District Election Officer appealed to all eligible migrant voters to exercise their right to vote responsibly, as it is not only their constitutional right but also a means to strengthen the foundations of democracy.
For more information, voters can contact their District Election Officer (Deputy Commissioner) or the nearest election office. They can also visit www.nvsp.in or www.eci.gov.in for detailed information.