Dubai: Despite several unfavourable situations, hundreds of Indian expats from the UAE have managed to cast their votes in state elections and proudly displayed their inked fingers on social media to show their participation in the democratic process back home.
Though assembly elections are happening in four states Kerala, Tamil Nadu, West Bengal, Assam and the Union Territory of Puducherry, the election fever is generally higher among Keralites in the UAE, who form the largest group of the more than 3.4 million Indian expatriates here.
Politically agile Keralites are traditionally known for flying home in thousands to cast their votes. However, their numbers have drastically diminished this time, largely due to the COVID-19 pandemic-related travel hassles and safety concerns. Most of the people, who cast their ballots, are either active supporters of political parties in the state or are on vacation back home.
India elections: Expats in UAE share their voting experience dhanusha@khaleejtimes.com Filed on April 6, 2021
Voters stand in a queue to cast their vote outside a polling station in Tamil Nadu. Photo: AFP
Some expats voted for the first time during extended holidays.
Indian expatriates from the UAE who travelled to vote in the Indian Assembly elections told
Khaleej Times the experience was good.
While several expatriates travelled to India to cast their votes, some of them, who were in India on extended holidays, have been able to vote for the first time.
Polling is underway in four states and one union territory – West Bengal, Assam, Kerala, Tamil Nadu and Puducherry.
Covid-19: Free air tickets for Indian passengers stranded in UAE msn.com - get the latest breaking news, showbiz & celebrity photos, sport news & rumours, viral videos and top stories from msn.com Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday newspapers.