Why in news?
Recent reports from Bihar suggested that over three million migrant workers were removed from electoral rolls because they were not residing at their registered addresses. This sparked a wider debate about the rights of migrant citizens and the need for portable voting options.
Why migrants are excluded
- Sedentary electoral framework: India’s voter registration is based on a person’s permanent residence. Those who move temporarily for work often remain registered in their home villages but cannot afford to travel back during elections.
- Administrative barriers: Updating an address or obtaining a new voter card requires proof of residence, which migrant labourers may lack in their host cities.
- Lack of coordination: States have little incentive to facilitate voting for non‑resident workers because these voters cannot influence local politics.
- Circular migration: Many workers move back and forth seasonally, making it difficult to classify them as residents of one place.
Consequences
- Millions of citizens remain effectively disenfranchised even though they are adults with voter identity cards.
- Important voices—such as construction workers, agricultural labourers and domestic helpers—are missing from the democratic process, leading to policies that overlook their needs.
- The exclusion disproportionately affects women and border‑area residents who face extra hurdles in documentation.
Possible remedies
- Portable voter identification: The Election Commission can design voter cards linked to an individual’s biometrics and Aadhaar, allowing people to vote from any polling booth.
- Postal and remote voting: Expanding postal ballots and secure online voting for migrant workers will reduce the need to travel.
- Inter‑state coordination: State governments should recognise migrant workers as an integral part of urban economies and facilitate voter registration drives at worksites.
- Civil society involvement: NGOs and labour unions can assist migrants in understanding their rights and completing paperwork.
Way forward
Migrant workers contribute significantly to India’s economy. Ensuring that they can participate in elections is vital for representative democracy. A mix of technological innovation, legal reform and administrative cooperation is required to turn every citizen into an empowered voter.