New Delhi, January 6: For the convenience of super senior citizens, whose movement could be severely restricted due to age-related ailments, the Election Commission has enabled the feature of voting through postal ballots. Chief Election Commissioner Sunil Arora, while releasing the poll schedule for Delhi Assembly Elections 2020, announced that those above 80 years of age would be allowed to cast their votes through postal ballots. Delhi Assembly Elections 2020 Dates: EC Releases Schedule, Voting in Single-Phase on February 8, Results on Feb 11.
The facility, till the last polls in Delhi, was extended only to defence and security personnel deployed on out-of-state postings. The Election Commission had, in the assembly elections held in Jharkhand in December, introduced the postal ballot system for super senior citizens on a pilot project-basis.
Here's How to Apply
Voters aged above 80 in Delhi, who want to benefit from the feature introduced by the Commission, will have to submit the 12-B form before the Returning Officer. Within five days of the submission of form, the postal ballots would be issued to them, CEC Arora said.
Those super senior citizens who do not wish to cast their votes through postal ballots will be allowed to vote by appearing at the respective polling booth in person, the Chief Election Commissioner added.
Update by ANI
CEC: New concept of absentee voters introduced,enables those voters to take part in polls who are not able to come to polling stations due to physical circumstances or unavoidable reasons. PWDs & Sr citizens above 80 yrs can either vote in person or vote through postal ballot https://t.co/bjc8itbo35
— ANI (@ANI) January 6, 2020
Voting for the 70 assembly segments in Delhi will be held in a single-phase on February 8, with the results scheduled to be declared on February 11. The notification for the polls will be issued on January 14, whereas, final date for filing of candidature is January 21. The nominations will be scrutinised on January 22, whereas, the last date for withdrawal is January 24.
(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Jan 06, 2020 04:36 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).