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

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 mail-in ballots.

To apply for a postal ballot, eligible voters must visit the Election Commission of India website and submit Form 12 D, 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.

Process of voting:

1. Receiving the postal ballot: Once approved, the RO sends the postal ballot to the voter's registered address, including the ballot paper, declaration form, secrecy sleeve, and pre-paid return envelope.

2. Marking the ballot: Voters mark their preferred candidate(s) on the ballot paper in the secrecy sleeve to ensure confidentiality.

3. Completing the declaration form: Voters fill out the declaration form, providing their signature and other relevant details.

Sealing the envelope: Voters seal the marked ballot paper and declaration form inside the secrecy sleeve and place it into the pre-paid return envelope.

5. Returning the postal ballot: Voters affix the postage 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 centre.

The Returning Officer and election officials scrutinise postal ballots for validity and integrity, adding valid ballots to the respective candidate's vote count.

Script and production: Richard Kujur

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