GOVERNMENT OF INDIA Ministry of Defence DEPARTMENT OF DEFENCE

 RAJYA SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1585 ANSWERED ON FEBRUARY 5, 2014

 QUESTION Voting Rights by Armed Forces and Paramilitary Forces

Will the Minister of DEFENCE be pleased to state:

(a)   whether Government is aware that a large number of serving armed forces and paramilitary forces personnel are unable to exercise their voting rights due to various deficiencies in the existing systems of voting provided for them, as outlined in my letter to the Hon'ble Defence Minister dated 23 April, 2013; and

(b)   if so, what steps Government has taken I proposes to take to address these deficiencies and enable these brave men and women and their families to exercise their right to vote and participate in the democratic process?

 ANSWER MINISTER OF DEFENCE (SHRI A.K. ANTONY)

 (a) & (b): Matter relating to further facilitation of voting by defence service personnel has been taken up with Election Commission of India.