What are postal ballots, and who can apply? | Lok Sabha elections 2024

[Music] the election commission of India has recently allowed media persons covering election activities to cast their vote through postal ballots in the upcoming general elections mail in ballots also referred to as postal ballots offer registered voters the option to vote by mail rather than visiting a polling station it is a convenient alternative for those who cannot vote in person due to reasons such as being away from their home District having a disability or fulfilling essential duties on Election Day so who is eligible for postal ballots military and government workers on Election Duty away from home people who can't go to the polling station due to work sickness or disability election workers at a different polling station those detained before the election essential workers like media transportation and Healthcare staff with permission can also use mailing ballots the process of application to apply for a postal ballot eligible voters must visit the election commission of India website and submit form 12d to the returning officer of their constituency the application requires personal details voter identification information and the reason for seeking a postal ballot the returning officer verifies and issues the postal ballot if the criteria are met for service voters the returning officer sends the postal ballot paper through the record office directly or through the ministry of external Affairs for service voters serving outside India the process of voting rece receiving the postal ballot once approved the r sends the postal ballot to the voter's registered address including the ballot paper declaration form secrecy sleeve and a prepaid return envelope marking the ballot the voter marks their preferred candidate on the ballot paper in the secrecy sleeve to ensure confidentiality completing the declaration form voters fill out the declaration form providing the signature and other relevant details see sealing the envelope voters seal the marked ballot paper and declaration form inside the secrecy sleeve and place it into the prepaid return envelope returning the postal ballot voters affix the posted stamp and mail the return envelope to the designated address within the specified time counting of postal ballots postal ballots are counted separately from votes cast at polling stations on the designated counting day postal ballots are collected by postal authorities and brought to the counting Center the returning officer and election officials scrutinized postal ballots for validity and integrity adding valid ballots to the respective candidates vote [Music] count

Channel: The Hindu

Views: 4,881

Keywords: ECI, Lok Sabha elections 2024, election commission of india, general elections 2024, indian elections, mail in ballots, postal ballots, voting, voting process

Id: Cm6seSCDzKA

Length: 2min 52sec (172 seconds)

Published: Tue Apr 09 2024