Iran conflict hits travel plans of NRK voters

Thiruvananthapuram: Political parties banking on non-resident Keralites (NRK) votes are likely to be in trouble as many people in the Gulf countries would not be able to travel to cast their votes because of fewer flights and high fares due to the US/Israel war against Iran.The return airfare has touched Rs 50,000 to Rs 1.6 lakh on key Middle East routes. There are only one or two direct flights on most days. Transit flights via Delhi and Mumbai are time-consuming. Though expats often travel from the Middle East to Kerala to vote in the elections, this time a sizeable number of NRKs may skip the polls because it is expensive to travel and there is a fear of getting stranded if the war situation deteriorates. Indian Association Sharjah president Nissar Thalangara said, "There is a considerable reduction in travel by NRKs for the election because of shortage of flights and an increase in fare due to high demand."He said that a main reason for this situation is the stand taken by Indian carriers. The Indian carriers have cancelled most of the flights in the Gulf sector, he said, and added that only the Middle East carriers are operating on most days. "This reduction in services has hit the Malayalis," he added. He said that "this makes it tough for people to travel home to cast their vote. It will cost Rs 1.35 lakh to travel home. An ordinary NRK cannot afford it."There are around 2 lakh NRK voters, and they play an important role in the election, especially in the northern districts, often in deciding the majority of the winning candidate in constituencies where the fight is tough. This was the trend in the previous elections."People do not prefer to travel because there is a fear that they may get stuck here if the war intensifies and the flights get cancelled," said an official with the department of Non-Resident Keralites Affairs (Norka).Norka, in association with the Election Commission, conducted an awareness campaign almost two months ago among the non-resident Keralites about the importance of casting votes. There may be a possibility of people coming in chartered flights but that is also difficult because of the cost and the current crisis, he added.Around 10,000 travelled to vote during the Lok Sabha election. A few also arrived by chartered flights. The Election Commission's plan to arrange postal votes for NRIs is yet to take off.