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NRI Goans file a petition with Supreme Court seeking dual citizenship and right to vote

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Doha, Qatar: GPCC’s NRI Global Goan Cell Chairman has filed a petition in the Supreme Court of India seeking Direction/Order to the Union of India for granting online or postal ballot voting rights to non-resident Goans and Indians who are staying overseas.

Simon D’Silva with Digvijay Singh

Addressing media persons on Thursday, November 24, Congress President Luizinho Faleiro said the Apex Court had issued a notice to the central government to submit their report within eight weeks. “If central government cannot grant dual citizenship right to Goans at this stage, we appeal that the non-resident Goans be allowed to exercise their voting right in the upcoming State election,” he said.

“Non-resident Goans, who are contributing to the State economy at a time when there is complete economic meltdown, should be given the right to vote,” Faleiro added. He alleged that the central government was currently working towards withdrawing the voting rights of Goans settled abroad claiming that these Goans have ceased to be Indian citizens and that the concept of dual citizenship does not exist in the country.

The petition filed by Congress NRI Global Goan Cell Chairman Simon D’Silva who is residing at Doha, Qatar due to occupational reasons is also the President of Goan Welfare Association Doha, Qatar. Also being the President of Global Goan Chamber of Commerce, D’Silva points out that there are over five lakh Goans residing outside India for employment or education purpose and a substantial number are residents of the Gulf and Middle East countries. 

Simon D’Silva has filed a Writ Petition under Article 32 of The Constitution of India before the Supreme Court of India bearing Writ Petition (Civil) No. 920/2016 for issuance of such appropriate Writ/Order/Direction mandating the Government to grant online or postal ballot voting rights to non-resident Goans who are living outside India due to their employment or education.

The said writ petition has been filed before the Hon’ble Supreme Court of India and the same came up for hearing before the Division Bench of the Supreme Court of India headed by Chief Justice of India, Justice T S Thakuron on 18 November 2016. The said writ petition was heard along with Writ Petition (Civil) No. 80/2013 which is also pending adjudication before the Supreme Court for seeking such similar reliefs. 

After hearing the petition filed by Simon, the Supreme Court has issued a notice to Union of India the Respondent therein and accordingly the matter has been ordered to be listed in eight weeks. Former Union minister and Senior Advocate Kapil Sibal argued the matter on behalf of Simon D’Silva.

Moti, Yatish, Kapil and Angelo

Petition has been prepared by Supreme Court Senior lawyer Binu Tamta and Advocate Yatish Naik, former MLA Agnelo Fernandes, Moti Desai and Simon D’Silva had travelled to Delhi for the same reason.

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