New Delhi: The Election Commission has decided not to extend the facility of postal ballots to voters above 65 years of age in the Bihar polls and various other by-elections, the government informed Parliament on Wednesday.
In a written reply to a question in the Lok Sabha, Union Minister for Law and Justice Ravi Shankar Prasad said the decision has been taken in view of the constraints related to logistics, manpower and safety protocols for COVID-19.
"The Conduct of Elections Rules, 1961 was amended to reduce the age limit for protection of vulnerable persons above 65 years of age and the same was notified on 19th June 2020 in pursuance of section 169 of the Representation of People Act, 1951, which does not enjoin consultation with the State Governments," he said.