The Representation of People (Amendment) Bill, 2010 was introduced in the Rajya Sabha on August 21, 2010 by the Minister of Law and Justice Shri M. Veerappa Moily. The Bill was passed by the Lok Sabha on August 31, 2010 and the Rajya Sabha on August 30, 2010.

• The Representation of the People Act, 1950 makes detailed provisions for elections and lays down the conditions required to register as a voter in a constituency. The conditions of registration include that a citizen should be “ordinarily resident” of a constituency.

• The Bill allows for all citizens to be enrolled in the electoral rolls in the constituency in which his place of residence in India as mentioned in his passport.

• The Electoral officer has to undertake the required verification for enrolment.

• The procedure for registration and the time period within which the registration shall take place is to be specified by the Government in consultation with the Election Commission.

• The Bill permits registration in electoral rolls of persons who are (a) citizens of India, (b) not enrolled in electoral rolls, (c) have not taken up the citizenship of any other country, and (d) are absent from the ordinary place of residence.