New Delhi:
Marking a first in the national capital, children of Tibetan refugees born in India between the cut-off date of 1950 and 1987, would be eligible for enrollment in the voters' list for the Delhi Assembly elections, Election Commission officials said.
"According to the order issued to Delhi's Chief Electoral Office (CEO) by the Election Commission of India (ECI), dated December 8, children of Tibetan refugees born in India between the cut-off date of 1950 and 1987, are eligible for enrollment in Delhi," Deputy Chief Electoral Officer A K Srivastava said.
The Ministry of Home Affairs though, is in principle, against giving voting rights to all refugees living in India... But the Electoral Registration Officers (EROs) concerned should not deny enrollment to children of such Tibetan refugees, the order said.
According to the ECI guidelines, those Tibetans born in India on or after January 26, 1950, but before July 1, 1987, have the right to exercise their franchise.
The guidelines came into force following an August 2013 Karnataka High Court order which paved the way for granting Indian citizenship to Tibetan refugees.
A majority of Tibetans living in Delhi, reside in Majnu Ka Tilla, which is one of the largest Tibetan settlements colony falling under Chandni Chowk constituency.
Officials said, "There is no census on the number of such Tibetans in the capital. And, their exact number can only be ascertained once we begin the enrollment process."