VOTE FROM HOME

2. Eligibility for Postal Ballot-Home Voting

Efforts to ensure inclusive participation in elections have traditionally focused on providing accessibility at polling sites, including ramps, separate queues, wheelchairs, and parking facilities. However, the recent extension of the postal ballot-home voting facility allows certain eligible individuals to cast their votes from their residences.

The eligibility criteria for postal ballot-home voting include:

1. Senior Citizens: Individuals aged 85 and above are eligible to opt for the postal ballot-home voting facility.
2. Persons with Disabilities: Those with a benchmark disability of not less than 40%, certified by the relevant authority, are eligible for postal ballot-home voting.

Chief Election Commissioner Rajiv Kumar emphasized that while many senior citizens prefer to vote in person at polling stations, this option provides them with the convenience of voting from home. It is important to note that individuals who choose this option will not be eligible to vote directly at the polling station on polling day.

This initiative is particularly beneficial during periods of extreme weather conditions, such as heatwaves during the scheduled Lok Sabha elections between April 19 and June 1. Senior voters, especially, may prefer to avoid outdoor exposure during such conditions, making the postal ballot-home voting scheme a practical and inclusive alternative.

The concept of vote-from-home has been previously trialled during Assembly elections in specific regions, targeting individuals with disabilities, senior citizens, and those affected by COVID-19, allowing them to avail of this facility. However, for the upcoming Lok Sabha elections, the Election Commission of India (ECI) has introduced several enhancements and expansions to the eligibility criteria for postal voting.

• The ECI has increased the upper age limit for elderly voters eligible for postal voting from 80 to 85 years, reflecting a broader inclusion of senior citizens in the electoral process.
• In addition to seniors and individuals with disabilities, the postal ballot option is now extended to media personnel covering polling activities with authorized letters from the Election Commission. It also encompasses essential service providers such as metro, railway, and healthcare personnel.
• Furthermore, service voters, including armed forces personnel stationed away from their hometowns, Central Armed Police Forces personnel on deployment, central and state police personnel on election duty, polling personnel, and embassy staff on postings, are eligible for postal voting.

These expansions aim to make the electoral process more inclusive and accessible to a wider range of eligible voters, ensuring their participation even in challenging circumstances such as mobility constraints, professional duties, or health concerns.

To avail of the vote-from-home facility, voters need to follow a specific process facilitated through Form 12D, which serves as a letter to the Assistant Returning Officer (ARO) indicating the inability to visit the polling station on election day. 

• Voters can download Form 12D from the Election Commission of India (ECI) website or obtain it from the office of the representative district officer of their parliamentary constituency. The completed form must be submitted within five days of the notification of the polling date.
• The process may need adjustments for better awareness and accessibility. Currently, electors are required to deposit the form to the Booth Level Officers (BLO) or the ARO, which can be problematic for people with disabilities and online submission options to improve accessibility.
• Once the form is filed, a team of two polling officials, accompanied by a videographer and a security person, will visit the elector's home to oversee the postal ballot voting process. The voter will receive notification of the visit date and approximate time via SMS or post. If the elector is not available during the first visit, a second visit will be scheduled.
• Conduct of Elections: During the home visit, the polling team must adhere to the protocol outlined in the Conduct of Elections Rules, 1961. This includes issuing postal ballots, briefing the elector on the voting procedure, ensuring the secrecy of voting, and preventing any external influence on the voter's choice.
• Individuals with blindness or physical infirmity are permitted to nominate a companion to assist them during the home voting process, ensuring that all voters have equal access to exercise their franchise.

5. Challenges in Implementing the Vote-from-Home Facility

The extension of the vote-from-home facility poses several challenges to its effective implementation and utilization.

• Coordinating requests, scheduling home visits, and managing the necessary equipment and personnel pose logistical challenges. Moving paraphernalia such as ballot materials, polling officials, videographers, and security personnel to voters' homes requires efficient planning and coordination.
• Resource Availability Whether the electoral machinery can handle the increased workload associated with facilitating home voting for eligible individuals. This includes ensuring an adequate number of polling teams, equipment, and resources to conduct the voting process smoothly.
• The success of the vote-from-home scheme hinges on creating awareness among both voters and polling officers. Voters need to be informed about their eligibility and the process to avail of the facility while polling officials must be trained to handle home visits and adhere to the prescribed protocols during the voting process.
• Polling officers and staff need to be educated and trained on the specific needs and accommodations required for individuals with disabilities and senior citizens. This includes understanding how to facilitate voting assistance, maintain voter privacy and secrecy, and ensure a fair and accessible voting environment.
• The scheme also requires mechanisms to provide necessary assistance to voters with disabilities or those who may require additional support during the home voting process. This could involve providing information in accessible formats, offering assistance for completing forms, and addressing any accessibility barriers.

The Election Commission has launched initiatives such as the Voter's Guide to educate and inform voters, particularly persons with disabilities and senior citizens, about the provisions and procedural details related to the vote-from-home facility. However, ongoing efforts are needed to address these challenges comprehensively and ensure that all eligible voters can exercise their democratic rights effectively.

6. The Way Forward

By implementing the strategies, the Election Commission and relevant stakeholders can overcome challenges, enhance accessibility, and facilitate the smooth conduct of the vote-from-home facility, thereby ensuring that all eligible voters can exercise their democratic rights effectively and inclusively.

Source: The Hindu