The Union of Students in Ireland (USI) and VotingRights.ie are calling for a vote for Irish citizens abroad.

It comes after the recent constitutional convention found that those participating voted 78% in favour of the question: "Should citizens resident outside the State have the right to vote in Presidential elections?".

USI and VotingRights.ie believe in modernising the absentee ballot process, and those Irish citizens and groups abroad should have representation.

It is calling for a newly established electoral commission, and a referendum on Irish citizens aboard having voting rights in time for the next presidential election.

"Campaigns led by young people such as the #HomeToVote and the#GetTheBoat2Vote campaigns during the marriage equality referendum last year showed that the efforts of Irish citizens abroad to be involved in shaping their country is real", says USI President Kevin Donoghue.

VotingRights.ie says Ireland is at the bottom of the EU tables when it comes to protecting the right of its overseas citizens to vote.

More than 125 nations protect the right of their citizens living overseas to vote.