'OCI is not to be misconstrued as 'dual citizenship', Indian High Commission clarifies

Indian High Commission clarifies the status of an OCI card holder in case of Indian Australians being denied candidacy for upcoming federal elections.

Source: Public Domain

Deputy High Commissioner of India to Australia, Mr PS Karthigeyan stated, "An overseas citizen of India shall not be entitled to the following rights conferred on a citizen of India.

1. under article 16 of the Constitution with regard to equality of opportunity in matters of public employment.
2. under article 58 of the Constitution for election as President.
3. under article 66 of the Constitution for election of Vice-President.
4. under article 124 of the Constitution for appointment as a Judge of the Supreme Court.
5. under article 217 of the Constitution for appointment as a Judge of the High Court.
6. under section 16 of the Representation of the People Act, 1950(43 of 1950) in regard to registration as a voter.
7. under sections 3 and 4 of the Representation of the People Act, 1951 (43 of 1951) with regard to the eligibility for being a member of the House of the People or of the Council of States, as the case may be.
8. under section 5, 5A and 6 of the Representation of the People Act, 1951 (43 of 1951) with regard to the eligibility for being a member of the Legislative Assembly or a Legislative Council, as the case may be, of a State.
9. for appointment to public services and posts in connection with the affairs of the Union or of any State except for appointment in such services and posts as the Central Government may by special order in that behalf specify."

He added, "Detailed instructions and procedures on the OCI Scheme are available on the MHA's website: www.mha.nic.in"

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