ECI issues new instructions for postal ballot procedure

The Election Commission of India has issued new instructions for postal ballot procedure based on the feedback the poll panel received from civil society and media during its visit to poll-bound Bihar last week.

New Delhi:The Election Commission of India has issued new instructions that make postal ballot more convenient for the people with disabilities and those above 80 years of age.

“If he/she opts for postal ballot, then the BLO will collect the filled-in form 12-D from the house of the elector within five days of the notification and deposit it with the returning officer forthwith,” according to the October 3 letter sent by EC to all state chief electoral officers.

These instructions have been issued based on the feedback the poll panel received from civil society and media during its visit to poll-bound Bihar last week.

"The elector may or may not opt for the postal ballot in the acknowledgement attached with the form 12-D. In case the elector goes for postal ballot, then the BLO will collect the filled-in form 12-D from the elector within five days of the notification and deposit it with the Returning Officer (RO). Thereafter, the Returning Officer will deploy polling team, who will deliver and collect the postal ballot on a pre-informed date and deposit it with the RO," the letter stated.

Under the new system, those willing to use the facility have to fill up a form and officials then carry the ballot to the residence of such voters and videograph the voting to ensure transparency.

These instructions have been issued based on the feedback the poll panel received from civil society and media during the visit of the EC team to poll-bound Bihar last week. The EC said these fresh instructions would be applicable to all elections and by-elections, including the bypolls announced last week to 56 assembly and one Lok Sabha seat.

ECI also held meeting with Observers for Bihar Elections on Monday. Chief Election Commissioner Sunil Arora emphasised on ECI’s commitment to conduct an election that is free, fair, transparent, ethical and also Covid Safe.

He stated that the strength of democracy rests in its primary stakeholder- the voter. All efforts must be made to instil confidence in the voter to come to the polling station on election day to cast her/his vote safely and freely.