The Election Commission of India (ECI) offers a home voting facility or postal ballot facility for senior citizens aged 80 and above and individuals with 40 percent disabilities.
- To vote by postal ballot, an Absentee Voter must apply through Form-12D to the Returning Officer of the respective constituency within a specified period.
- A polling team, comprising two polling officials, a videographer, and a security person, visits the elector’s home to assist them in casting their vote through the Postal Ballot while maintaining vote secrecy.
- The ECI has directed Chief Electoral Officers of several states to disseminate information and provide assistance to these categories of voters.
- The ECI also offers transportation to senior citizens and differently-abled persons who choose to visit polling stations to vote. Wheelchairs must be provided at all polling stations for their convenience.
- In the 2019 General Elections, the ECI allowed disabled and senior citizens to vote through postal ballots, which significantly increased voter turnout.
- The use of e-postal ballots in the 2019 Lok Sabha elections saw approximately 60.14 percent of absentee voters casting their votes, compared to just 4 percent in the 2014 general elections. The ECI expects a similar positive impact on voting percentages in the upcoming state assembly elections.
Questions : What is the eligibility criterion for individuals to use the home voting facility offered by the Election Commission of India?
a) Individuals aged 60 and above
b) Senior citizens aged 80 and above
c) Individuals with disabilities of any age
d) Senior citizens aged 80 and above and individuals with 40 percent disabilities.
Ans : d) Senior citizens aged 80 and above and individuals with 40 percent disabilities.
