Home Ministry challenges Election Comission's order allowing Tibetan refugees to vote

New Delhi: The Union home ministry (MHA) has decided to challenge the Election Commission’s decision to give voting rights to the children of the Tibetan refugees after the security agencies red-flagged the issue, citing very important international strategic and security considerations.

The move is likely to impact the outcome of Lok Sabha elections in four to six parliamentary constituencies having considerable population of Tibetan refugees. Security agencies have pointed out to the MHA that implementing the order can have a serious impact on diplomatic ties with China, sources said.

This is for the first time in 55 years that voting rights are being conferred on Tibetans in exile in the country.