Unbelievable NRI Voter Statistics in Telangana

In the forty-five days until the impending elections in Telangana, political parties are finalising their candidate slates. Already known to the Election Commission is the voter count for the state, which stands at 3.6 crore; 8 lakh new registrants were added recently.

A noteworthy development is the substantial increase in the number of Non-Resident Indian (NRI) electors in Telangana since the state's most recent elections in 2018. It may come as a surprise to some that the state had only five NRI electors in 2014.

However, that number increased to 244 in 2018, which was still a significant minority, and as of 2023, it has risen to an impressive 2,780. The increase in population can be ascribed to the active engagement of Telangana citizens residing overseas in exercising their voting privileges within their native state.

Men make up 2,248 of these NRI electors, while women make up 531 and one identifies as transgender. Notably, with the exception of Bodh and Narayankhed, all 117 remaining constituencies in Telangana have registered NRI electors.

With 206 NRI electors, the Malkajgiri constituency takes the lead, followed by Uppal (131) and Kukatpally (102). Absent from the requisite voter identification papers, NRI electors may submit ballots using only their authentic passports. Their information is individually documented in the voter roster.

It is imperative to mention that voter registration in Telangana is restricted to individuals who have departed from the state in search of employment or employment opportunities. Foreign nationals are not eligible to participate.