Postal ballot for disabled & voters aged above 80

On the recommendation of Election Commission, the Union Ministry of Law and Justice has amended Conduct of Election Rules, 1961, on October 22 that will now allow senior citizens and person with disabilities (PwD) in absentee voter list. The absentee voter refers to a vote cast by someone who is unable to go to polling station.

Key Highlights

The disabled and people with more than 80 years of age can now cast their vote through postal ballot. This will enable people from these two categories to cast their votes with ease and will also thus increase voter turnout.

In both these categories there are people who are unable to reach polling stations and thus are unable to cast their votes. Currently voting through postal ballot is available to Indian armed forces and to those assigned poll duties.

The poll officer will attest absentee voter in case of senior citizens and PwDs in form 13A.

In 2019 Lok Sabha elections, about 60.14% of absentee voters voted through e-postal ballot while in the general election during 2014 this figure was just 4%.

Month: Current Affairs - October, 2019