Overseas Voter Turnout in Kerala Elections Likely to Decline Due to Gulf Tensions and High Fares
Gulf tensions, high fares may hit turnout of overseas voters in Kerala polls
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The ongoing conflict in West Asia and rising airfares are expected to significantly reduce overseas voter turnout in Kerala's upcoming Assembly elections. With an estimated 2 million non-resident Keralites in the Gulf, only a small fraction are registered to vote, and fewer than 5,000 are expected to return this election season.
- 01The non-resident Keralite population in the Gulf is around 2 million, but only 2.4 lakh are registered overseas voters.
- 02Historically low turnout among overseas voters, with only 3,748 voting in the 2021 Assembly elections.
- 03Fewer than 5,000 overseas voters are expected to travel back to Kerala for the upcoming elections.
- 04High airfares and uncertainty over flight schedules are major deterrents for voters.
- 05Overseas voters can influence voting decisions of multiple family members back home.
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The upcoming Kerala Assembly elections may see a significant drop in overseas voter turnout due to ongoing tensions in West Asia and soaring airfares. An estimated 2 million non-resident Keralites reside in the six Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries, but only 2.4 lakh are registered as overseas voters. Historically, participation has been low; in the 2021 Assembly elections, only 3,748 out of 86,371 registered overseas voters cast their votes. This year, estimates suggest that fewer than 5,000 voters may return, a sharp decline from previous elections. High ticket prices and uncertainty regarding flight schedules are major obstacles. Political organizations are encouraging expatriates to influence their families' voting decisions, highlighting the significant impact overseas voters can have in closely contested constituencies.
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The decline in overseas voter turnout could affect the election outcomes in key constituencies, as these voters often play a crucial role in closely contested races.
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