ECI Allows Postal Votes for Service, Senior Voters
Elderly, PwDs, service voters to vote from home in Assembly polls
- ECI allows postal ballot for voters above 85 and PwDs
- Facility extended to essential services staff and media personnel
- Home voting to be conducted by polling teams
- Ballots must reach officials by May 4 counting day
GG News Bureau
New Delhi, 19th March: The Election Commission of India has announced expanded postal ballot facilities for elderly voters, Persons with Disabilities (PwDs), service voters and those on election duty for the upcoming Assembly elections in multiple states.
The सुविधा comes following the announcement of poll schedules for Assam, Kerala, Puducherry, Tamil Nadu and West Bengal on March 15.
As per Section 60(c) of the Representation of the People Act, 1951, voters aged above 85 years and PwDs identified in electoral rolls will be eligible to cast their votes through postal ballots. Eligible voters can apply using Form 12D within five days of the election notification.
Polling teams will visit such voters at their residences to collect ballots, with schedules prepared by Returning Officers and shared with candidates to ensure transparency.
The facility has also been extended to voters engaged in essential services on polling day, including fire services, healthcare, electricity, traffic, ambulance services, aviation and long-distance government transport. Media personnel authorised for election coverage have also been included in this category.
Voters on election duty will receive their postal ballots at designated facilitation centres, where they can cast their vote while maintaining complete secrecy, as per ECI guidelines.
Service voters will receive their ballots electronically through the Electronically Transmitted Postal Ballot System (ETPBS), eliminating postal costs and ensuring faster access.
The Commission has specified that all postal ballots must reach the respective Returning Officers by 8:00 AM on May 4, the day of counting.
Officials, including District Election Officers and Returning Officers, have been directed to brief political parties and candidates on the provisions to ensure smooth implementation.
The move is aimed at making the electoral process more inclusive and accessible while maintaining the integrity and secrecy of voting.
