OCI card holders cannot vote in Indian elections or seek a Voter ID, since they are not Indians. OCI (Overseas Citizenship of India) is a long-term residence permit given to foreign nationals of Indian origin so that they can reside and work in India permanently, but it does not give them the same privileges as an Indian citizen. According to the Representation of the People Act, 1950, voting is a right extended to Indian citizens alone, so the OCIs have no right to vote in any level of election, whether Lok Sabha, Rajya Sabha, State Assemblies, or local municipal bodies.
Why OCIs Cannot Vote?
- OCI is not the status of Indian citizenship.
- Indian law doesn't entitle OCIs the right to vote, run elections, or enter politics.
- Only people holding an Indian passport are eligible to enroll as voters.
