Challenges Faced by Migrant Workers in Participating in India's Election
Learn about the obstacles encountered by millions of migrant workers in India who are unable to vote due to election rules restricting voting to home constituencies.
Chanu Gupta has been living in Mumbai, India's financial hub, for most of his life. He moved to the city as a child from Uttar Pradesh, a northern state.
However, despite being a 59-year-old street vendor and a vital part of the country's economy, Chanu, along with millions of internal migrant workers, won't be able to cast their votes in the upcoming nationwide election.
Gupta explained to CNN in Mumbai's Dadar shopping district that he is unable to vote because he is not a resident of Maharashtra state. He mentioned that he has voting rights in a different state.
In India, voters are required to cast their ballots in their own constituencies according to election regulations. This means that individuals who work outside of their home state must travel back to their hometowns to participate in the voting process.
It is extremely challenging for numerous out-of-state workers, particularly underprivileged daily-wage workers in the unorganized sector. This group is quite large, with an estimated 600 million internal migrants in 2020, accounting for 43% of the country's population at that time.
Chanu Gupta, a shaved ice vendor in Mumbai, poses for a picture during an interview with CNN on April 16, 2024.
Chanu Gupta, a shaved ice vendor in Mumbai, poses for a picture during an interview with CNN on April 16, 2024.
Noemi Cassanelli/CNN
Many of these workers come from rural areas in India that are not as wealthy, seeking employment opportunities in larger urban areas. Despite their efforts, they typically receive low wages which are often sent back to their families for support.
One of the most striking examples of this phenomenon can be seen in Mumbai, the wealthiest city in India and the hub of the Bollywood film industry. Known as the "city of dreams," Mumbai attracts individuals from all over the country who are in search of prosperity and achievement.
In 2011, over 43% of Mumbai's population were considered migrants, according to migration think tank Knomad. These individuals often come from states with higher poverty and unemployment rates like Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Rajasthan, and Gujarat.
The diverse mix of migrants is evident throughout Mumbai, from the different languages spoken to the abundance of day laborers such as auto-rickshaw drivers, construction workers, and sugarcane juice vendors seen lining the streets.
Heading home to vote can be a costly decision for many workers. Not only do they lose out on their daily wages, but they also have to spend money to travel back. This double blow can have a ripple effect on their families, affecting everything from children's education fees to elderly parents' living expenses.
A worker balances a straw basket on his head in Mumbai on April 15, 2024.
A worker balances a straw basket on his head in Mumbai on April 15, 2024.
Noemi Cassanelli/CNN
The Covid-19 pandemic highlighted the unstable situation of migrant workers, with millions suddenly losing their jobs and having to return to their home countries.
According to a study led by the United Nations, despite the higher cost of living in cities compared to villages, migrant workers earn low wages, leading to poor living conditions with limited access to public services like water and sanitation.
Gupta explained that his shaved ice business depends on the hot summer months when the election happens. He mentioned, "If I take time off to vote, I miss out on earning money. Providing for my family is my top priority, so I choose to focus on work instead of voting."
He added, "There are numerous migrants like myself in Mumbai who are here to make a living and find it difficult to participate in the voting process."
India’s diaspora
Many Indian citizens abroad – part of the massive global Indian diaspora – face the same problem, though their circumstances vary considerably.
Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) supporters are gathered at a rally in Nagaon District, Assam, India. The event is being led by Himanta Biswa Sarma, the Chief Minister of Assam, in preparation for the upcoming Lok Sabha election on April 4, 2024. 
Anuwar Hazarika/NurPhoto/Getty Images
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Billions of dollars are spent on the world's biggest election, where poll workers trek through jungles and voters cast their ballots at 15,000 feet.
The majority of poll workers are low-income laborers who have contributed to the economies of oil-rich Arab nations, while others are middle or upper-class students seeking education or careers in Western countries.
Government data shows that there are 13.6 million non-resident Indians, also known as NRIs, worldwide. The largest NRI population is in the United Arab Emirates, with 3.4 million, followed by 2.5 million in Saudi Arabia, and 1.2 million in the United States.
During the pandemic, the challenges faced by NRIs in Gulf countries were brought to light. Many of them reside in crowded dormitories and labor camps. As businesses closed, incomes disappeared, and travel restrictions prevented them from returning home, leaving them in a difficult situation.
Overseas Indians do not have the option to vote online or by postal ballot. Instead, NRIs need to register as an "overseas voter" and travel back to their hometown in India to physically cast their vote in their constituencies.
Some dedicated voters, like professionals in the United Kingdom or Dubai, are able to afford flying back to India to vote. However, they are only a small percentage of NRIs who make the effort to do so.
According to the Election Commission of India, over 71,000 people registered as "overseas voters" in the last national elections in 2019. This number was less than 1% of the total NRI population at that time.
A worker watches his mobile phone while taking a break in Mumbai on April 17, 2024.
A worker watches his mobile phone while taking a break in Mumbai on April 17, 2024.
Noemi Cassanelli/CNN
Authorities in India have been making a strong effort to encourage voter turnout. They are urging all 968 million eligible voters across the country to participate in the elections. This includes the setup of over a million polling stations in various locations, from remote forests to mountain peaks.
The Election Commission of India (ECI) has taken steps to educate voters and engage young people through voter literacy programs and social media campaigns.
These efforts have resulted in the highest voter turnout in India's history during the 2019 election, with over 67% of the population participating in the polls.
The massive group of disenfranchised migrant workers stands in sharp contrast to these achievements – with no solution in sight.
A 2011 study conducted in five Indian states revealed that 60% of migrant workers surveyed had missed voting in elections at least once because they were away from home seeking livelihood options. The study also highlighted that many migrants left their homes as young as age 13 to find work, which meant they did not have the opportunity to obtain their voter IDs when they became eligible at age 18.
Workers chat while taking a break in Mumbai, India, on April 17, 2024.
Workers chat while taking a break in Mumbai, India, on April 17, 2024.
Noemi Cassanelli/CNN
The ECI acknowledged this problem in a 2022 report, raising the question of how to improve voter participation among internal migrants.
The voting body raised a concern about the lack of a clear definition of an internal migrant, which they noted as a key factor contributing to low voter turnout. The ECI had suggested using remote voting machines to solve this issue. However, the government announced in 2023 that they had no plans to implement this solution.
For many migrant workers, voting is still not a priority. "I don't even think about who I would vote for back in my hometown," shared Gupta, a vendor from Mumbai. "Right now, my main concern is making a living."
Editor's P/S:
The article sheds light on a pressing issue faced by millions of internal migrant workers in India. These individuals, despite their significant contribution to the economy, are deprived of the fundamental right to vote due to restrictive election regulations. The lack of a clear definition of an internal migrant exacerbates the problem, making it difficult for them to establish residency and obtain voter IDs. This disenfranchisement is a glaring oversight that undermines India's democratic principles.
Furthermore, the article highlights the economic hardships and social challenges faced by migrant workers. They often work low-wage jobs in the unorganized sector, with limited access to basic amenities. Returning home to vote involves significant financial burden and loss of daily wages, which many cannot afford. This situation perpetuates a cycle of poverty and exclusion, further marginalizing migrant workers in the political process. It is crucial for policymakers and lawmakers to address these systemic barriers and find ways to empower migrant workers with the ability to participate fully in India's democracy.
