As the April 9 Kerala Assembly elections draw closer, concerns are rising among Gulf-based Keralite voters. Many are unsure if they will be able to travel home to exercise their votes this time.
The concern is mainly due to the ongoing tensions in West Asia involving Iran and US-Israel allies. These tensions have badly disrupted air travel across the region. Thousands of flights have been cancelled or delayed. Several nations have also partially or fully closed their airspace. This has affected major Gulf aviation hubs like Dubai, Abu Dhabi and Doha.
With fewer flights, frequent cancellations and increasing ticket prices, expatriate voters are worried. They feel the usual “vote flight” arrangements may not be possible in present conditions.
For several years, organisations like the Kerala Muslim Cultural Centre (KMCC), linked to the Indian Union Muslim League (IUML), have helped expatriates take part in elections.
During the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, hundreds of Keralites working in Gulf countries managed to return home. Many travelled on specially arranged “vote flights.” From Saudi Arabia and other regions, around half a dozen such flights were arranged. Voters often stayed only for a day or two before returning to work. This time, however, the situation looks more difficult and uncertain.
IUML leader Sayyid Munavvar Ali Shihab Thangal expressed apprehensions about whether such special arrangements will be possible. While efforts are still on, he said the situation in West Asia is making things uncertain. "There is hope that things will stabilise in the coming days, but for now the situation is unclear,” Thangal said.
In the UAE, where many Kerala voters live, the problem is not just about flight availability. The cost of tickets has also gone up sharply.
KMCC UAE national committee general secretary Anwar Naha said flights are operating, but fares have increased a lot. Plans are being made to arrange chartered flights in early April, but only a small number of people may benefit. "Most people come only for a very short visit, sometimes just for two days, mainly because they cannot get leave," he said. “With lakhs of eligible voters in the UAE alone, only a small fraction can actually make the trip. Some manage by booking tickets on their own, but many are left out due to high costs and work commitments,” Naha said.
A similar situation is being seen in Saudi Arabia.
KMCC Saudi national committee general secretary Ashraf Vengad said travel routes through most important airports like Jeddah, Riyadh and Dammam are under pressure due to the regional conflicts.
Travel agents are being contacted to arrange chartered flights. However, high fares and uncertainty mean only a limited number of voters may be able to travel. Behind these travel problems is a larger issue. For years, there has been no proper system for expatriate voting. Naha said many overseas Indians are eligible voters but cannot take part in elections because they cannot travel home.
Many people point out that several countries allow their citizens abroad to vote from where they live. They feel India should also consider such a system.
As of now, Keralites in the Gulf who want to vote can only hope. They are waiting for flights to become easier to access and more affordable in the coming weeks.
Also read: Tharoor confident of Congress' victory in Kerala polls
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