The Dharamshala municipal election on March 27 provided a first-time opportunity for eligible Tibetans to vote.
The Tibetan Review has published an article drawing attention to the developing story of who can and can’t vote, saying that it is estimated that more than a couple of hundred Tibetans have registered as voters. In previous elections, some Tibetans have been blocked from voting.
Their article says that Tibetan participation in India’s electoral process picked up momentum during the last general election in Apr 2014. A High Court ruling that Tibetans born in India before July 1987, and their children, are citizens under India’s citizenship law and entitled to passports was followed by the Election Commission of India making provision for them to register as voters.
The Tibet Sun quotes Tsering Yangzom, 36, who has voted for the first time in an Indian election. “I feel proud to be casting my vote today. I have the right to vote and am exercising it,” Yangzom said. “Tibetans in other countries have citizenship and voting rights. I am happy that I too have that in India,” adding, “India has been the greatest help to Tibetans.”
However, the government of India still requires all Tibetans born in India and their children to register as foreigners, they are regarded refugees whose stay in India is temporary, and on humanitarian considerations.
Only His Holiness the Dalai Lama, the article states, has been granted political asylum.
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