<p>As the nation braces itself for the announcement of Lok Sabha election results on June 4, leaders from the opposition INDIA bloc visited the Election Commission of India (ECI) with a flurry of demands. At the same time, adding to the charged political atmosphere, Union Ministers and prominent BJP figures, Piyush Goyal and Nirmala Sitharaman, also made their presence felt at the ECI.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Union Minister Piyush Goyal criticised what BJP perceived as attempts by INDIA bloc to tarnish the sanctity of India's democratic processes.&nbsp;</p>

<p>"We had to call upon ECI today, in light of the repeated attempts by a section of the political parties led by the Indian National Congress and their INDI alliance partners and certain motivated civil society groups and NGOs who are trying their level best to undermine the integrity of India's electoral process. Their efforts against India's robust electoral process are a direct attack on our democratic institutions," Goyal said post-meeting with the full bench of Election Commission members.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Also Read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/assembly-polls-2024-sikkims-ruling-skm-registers-thumping-victory-wins-31-out-of-32-seats-728054">Assembly Polls 2024: Sikkim's ruling SKM registers thumping victory, wins 31 out of 32 seats</a></p>

<p>Goyal elaborated on the BJP's four demands made during their meeting.&nbsp;Goyal said, "We have requested EC every official engaged in the counting process be fully conversant with the minutest details of the prescribed process and engage diligently with all EC protocols...second, to ensure safety and security of the electoral process during the counting and announcement of results...third, to take cognisance of the systematic attempts to undermine the electoral process and take stringent action against those responsible."&nbsp;</p>

<h2><strong>INDIA bloc meets EC officials&nbsp;</strong></h2>

<p>INDIA bloc's delegation also met with the Election Commission, with Sitaram Yechury of the CPI(M) calling for adhering to their demands, including that the postal ballots&nbsp;be counted first and announced and after that, the EVM counting should begin. "We are saying that it should be followed."</p>

<p>Also Read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/assembly-polls-2024-bjp-returns-to-power-in-arunachal-pradesh-secures-46-out-of-60-seats-728034">Assembly Polls 2024: BJP storms back to power in Arunachal Pradesh, secures 46 out of 60 seats</a></p>

<p>D Raja of the CPI underscored the importance of upholding the Conduct of Election rules 1961.&nbsp;</p>

<p><strong>Watch |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/pune-porsche-horror-wion-exclusive-teen-mother-evasive-on-probe-crime-branch-interrogates-minor-728022">Pune Porsche horror | WION Exclusive: Teen, mother evasive on probe; crime branch interrogates minor</a></strong></p>

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<p>Congress leader Salman Khurshid expressed optimism saying, "We requested for very strict vigilance during the counting process and they gave us a satisfactory reply... We didn't question any rules but made sure they are adhered to and followed faithfully. The meeting has been very promising."</p>

<p>Meanwhile, Abhishek Manu Singhvi, representing the Congress, outlined a specific concern regarding the counting order of postal ballots and EVMs.</p>

<p>"Our complaint is that this statutory rule of this 2019 guideline has been given goodbye. The Election Commission has repealed this 2019 practice. The net result is that by method of practice, EVMs can be counted and if EVMs counting gets over before the postal ballot, it will still be completed," Singhvi said.</p>

<p><em>(With inputs from agencies)</em></p>


As the nation braces itself for the announcement of Lok Sabha election results on June 4, leaders from the opposition INDIA bloc visited the Election Commission of India (ECI) with a flurry of demands.

As the nation braces itself for the announcement of Lok Sabha election results on June 4, leaders from the opposition INDIA bloc visited the Election Commission of India (ECI) with a flurry of demands. At the same time, adding to the charged political atmosphere, Union Ministers and prominent BJP figures, Piyush Goyal and Nirmala Sitharaman, also made their presence felt at the ECI. Union Minister Piyush Goyal criticised what BJP perceived as attempts by INDIA bloc to tarnish the sanctity of India's democratic processes. "We had to call upon ECI today, in light of the repeated attempts by a section of the political parties led by the Indian National Congress and their INDI alliance partners and certain motivated civil society groups and NGOs who are trying their level best to undermine the integrity of India's electoral process. Their efforts against India's robust electoral process are a direct attack on our democratic institutions," Goyal said post-meeting with the full bench of Election Commission members. Also Read | Assembly Polls 2024: Sikkim's ruling SKM registers thumping victory, wins 31 out of 32 seats Goyal elaborated on the BJP's four demands made during their meeting. Goyal said, "We have requested EC every official engaged in the counting process be fully conversant with the minutest details of the prescribed process and engage diligently with all EC protocols...second, to ensure safety and security of the electoral process during the counting and announcement of results...third, to take cognisance of the systematic attempts to undermine the electoral process and take stringent action against those responsible." INDIA bloc meets EC officials INDIA bloc's delegation also met with the Election Commission, with Sitaram Yechury of the CPI(M) calling for adhering to their demands, including that the postal ballots be counted first and announced and after that, the EVM counting should begin. "We are saying that it should be followed." Also Read | Assembly Polls 2024: BJP storms back to power in Arunachal Pradesh, secures 46 out of 60 seats D Raja of the CPI underscored the importance of upholding the Conduct of Election rules 1961. Watch | Pune Porsche horror | WION Exclusive: Teen, mother evasive on probe; crime branch interrogates minor × Congress leader Salman Khurshid expressed optimism saying, "We requested for very strict vigilance during the counting process and they gave us a satisfactory reply... We didn't question any rules but made sure they are adhered to and followed faithfully. The meeting has been very promising." Meanwhile, Abhishek Manu Singhvi, representing the Congress, outlined a specific concern regarding the counting order of postal ballots and EVMs. "Our complaint is that this statutory rule of this 2019 guideline has been given goodbye. The Election Commission has repealed this 2019 practice. The net result is that by method of practice, EVMs can be counted and if EVMs counting gets over before the postal ballot, it will still be completed," Singhvi said. (With inputs from agencies)

INDIA bloc urges ECI to count postal ballots first; BJP alleges opposition undermining process

<p>The Election Commission of India (ECI) on Tuesday (Mar 19) notified all those who can vote in the upcoming Lok Sabha election and four state assembly polls using postal ballots.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The election commission noted that media persons covering "polling day activities" carrying authorisation letters from the Election Commission and all those involved in essential services such as metros, railways and health care, can vote using postal ballots.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The election-conducting body shared its notification with all state chief electoral officers regarding the categories of "absentee voters on essential service".&nbsp;</p>

<p><strong>Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/congress-to-release-third-lok-sabha-candidate-list-meeting-held-by-sonia-gandhi-kharge-702046">Congress to release third Lok Sabha candidate list? Meeting held by Sonia Gandhi, Kharge</a>&nbsp;</strong></p>

<p>The government body said that while postal ballots were used during assembly elections by journalists and individuals working in critical services, the opportunity has now been extended to Lok Sabha elections.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The election commission said that "media persons to whom authorisation letters have been issued with the approval of the commission to cover polling day activities" are among the various categories identified for the use of postal ballots.&nbsp;</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Lok Sabha Elections: Election Commission of India (ECI) notifies the category of electors mentioned therein for the purposes of facility of voting through postal ballot as absentee voters on essential services; allows voting by postal ballot for authorised media persons on… <a href="https://t.co/Urjh2UV8kD">pic.twitter.com/Urjh2UV8kD</a></p>
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<p><strong>Watch:&nbsp;Former CM Sadananda Gowda may quit BJP, says 'BJP not a party with a difference'</strong></p>

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<p><strong>Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/mla-sita-soren-sister-in-law-of-ex-jharkhand-cm-hemant-soren-joins-bjp-702049">MLA Sita Soren, sister-in-law of ex-Jharkhand CM Hemant Soren, joins BJP</a>&nbsp;</strong></p>

<h2><strong>How to get the form?&nbsp;</strong></h2>

<p>The election body said that people can get Form 12D from the office of the district election officer for their parliamentary seat, where they are registered as voters.&nbsp;</p>

<p>They can also obtain the form from the website of the appropriate chief electoral officer.&nbsp;</p>

<p><em>(With inputs from agencies)</em></p>


The Election Commission of India (ECI) on Tuesday (Mar 19) notified all those who can vote in the upcoming Lok Sabha election and four state assembly polls using postal ballots.

The Election Commission of India (ECI) on Tuesday (Mar 19) notified all those who can vote in the upcoming Lok Sabha election and four state assembly polls using postal ballots. The election commission noted that media persons covering "polling day activities" carrying authorisation letters from the Election Commission and all those involved in essential services such as metros, railways and health care, can vote using postal ballots. The election-conducting body shared its notification with all state chief electoral officers regarding the categories of "absentee voters on essential service". Also read: Congress to release third Lok Sabha candidate list? Meeting held by Sonia Gandhi, Kharge The government body said that while postal ballots were used during assembly elections by journalists and individuals working in critical services, the opportunity has now been extended to Lok Sabha elections. The election commission said that "media persons to whom authorisation letters have been issued with the approval of the commission to cover polling day activities" are among the various categories identified for the use of postal ballots. Lok Sabha Elections: Election Commission of India (ECI) notifies the category of electors mentioned therein for the purposes of facility of voting through postal ballot as absentee voters on essential services; allows voting by postal ballot for authorised media persons on… pic.twitter.com/Urjh2UV8kD — ANI (@ANI) March 19, 2024 × Watch: Former CM Sadananda Gowda may quit BJP, says 'BJP not a party with a difference' × Also read: MLA Sita Soren, sister-in-law of ex-Jharkhand CM Hemant Soren, joins BJP How to get the form? The election body said that people can get Form 12D from the office of the district election officer for their parliamentary seat, where they are registered as voters. They can also obtain the form from the website of the appropriate chief electoral officer. (With inputs from agencies)

Lok Sabha Election: Those in essential services, journalists can vote via postal ballots, says poll body

<p>For the first time ever, Singaporeans who are 21 years of age or older, residing overseas, and who are eligible to vote will be able to register and cast ballots by mail. According to experts who spoke with Straits Times, this might truly be a game-changer in the upcoming presidential elections, which are expected to be in September 2023. A legislation was passed in March to permit Singaporeans living abroad to vote by mail. Earlier, they had to go to polling sites in certain locations to cast their ballots, which meant that some people were unable to do so in 2020, when Covid-related travel restrictions were effective worldwide.</p>

<p>Also Read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/thai-voting-begins-will-rule-of-conservative-military-backed-pm-to-maintain-power-592156">Thailand voting begins, will conservative military-backed PM maintain power?</a></p>

<p><strong>What will be the implications of these election rules revisions for the 2023 Presidential Election?</strong></p>

<p>Elections Department (ELD) revealed that 4,794 of the 6,570 overseas voters who were registered to vote at the most recent general election in Singapore in 2020 actually cast their ballots.</p>

<p>Only 10 overseas voting locations, in "countries or cities where there is a significant number of Singaporeans," were available for voters to cast ballots, according to ELD's website. Shanghai, Dubai, Canberra, London, Tokyo, Beijing, Washington, Hong Kong, San Francisco, and New York are among the cities where the stations are situated.</p>

<p>Also Read| <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/pakistani-held-in-biggest-drug-bust-in-india-crystal-meth-worth-145-bn-seized-592189">In India's biggest drug bust, crystal meth worth $1.45bn seized from Kerala coast, Pakistani held</a></p>

<p>It is hard to predict precisely how much the turnout rate would rise because the great majority of overseas Singaporeans are not registered voters, according to assistant professor of constitutional law Benjamin Joshua Ong of Singapore Management University (SMU).</p>

<p>“The right to vote is a constitutional right, and we should welcome efforts that make it easier to exercise this right. Of course, democracy is much more than just putting a piece of paper into a box every few years. But voting is a solemn ritual that reinforces a citizen’s ties to the democratic system.”</p>

<p><strong>Watch | Mother's Day Special: Sarah Todd shares easy cooking tips for busy parents</strong></p>

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<p>National University of Singapore adjunct law professor Kevin Tan said the postal votes from overseas voters could matter in an election like the 2011 Presidential Election, where Dr. Tony Tan Keng Yam edged out Dr. Tan Cheng Bock by 7,382 votes.</p>

<p>“Looking at it quantitatively, the overseas votes might have swung the election the other way because the margin was very, very slim,” he said. He also asserted that voting is a constitutional right and the modifications done by the ELD were long overdue.</p>

<p>The 56-year-old lawyer Benjamin Yap, a Singaporean living in Ho Chi Minh City will now be able to vote from overseas. “I have been away from Singapore for so long, but I still feel Singaporean at heart. I see my ability to exercise my right to vote as very much intrinsic to my status as a Singaporean,” said Mr Yap, who lives with his wife and their 15-year-old son. He is one of 185,800 Singaporeans living abroad.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Another first in the next election will be the establishment of special polling places on the nursing homes' grounds and the use of mobile polling teams to collect ballots from residents who are bedridden there.</p>

<p>The unique voting arrangements will be tested in nursing homes with more than 50 voters, according to the ELD. Over 2,000 voters will be reached, or roughly two-thirds of registered voters who are now living in nursing homes. This will involve 25 to 30 nursing facilities.</p>

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For the first time ever, Singaporeans who are 21 years of age or older, residing overseas, and who are eligible to vote will be able to register and cast ballots by mail.

For the first time ever, Singaporeans who are 21 years of age or older, residing overseas, and who are eligible to vote will be able to register and cast ballots by mail. According to experts who spoke with Straits Times, this might truly be a game-changer in the upcoming presidential elections, which are expected to be in September 2023. A legislation was passed in March to permit Singaporeans living abroad to vote by mail. Earlier, they had to go to polling sites in certain locations to cast their ballots, which meant that some people were unable to do so in 2020, when Covid-related travel restrictions were effective worldwide. Also Read | Thailand voting begins, will conservative military-backed PM maintain power? What will be the implications of these election rules revisions for the 2023 Presidential Election? Elections Department (ELD) revealed that 4,794 of the 6,570 overseas voters who were registered to vote at the most recent general election in Singapore in 2020 actually cast their ballots. Only 10 overseas voting locations, in "countries or cities where there is a significant number of Singaporeans," were available for voters to cast ballots, according to ELD's website. Shanghai, Dubai, Canberra, London, Tokyo, Beijing, Washington, Hong Kong, San Francisco, and New York are among the cities where the stations are situated. Also Read| In India's biggest drug bust, crystal meth worth $1.45bn seized from Kerala coast, Pakistani held It is hard to predict precisely how much the turnout rate would rise because the great majority of overseas Singaporeans are not registered voters, according to assistant professor of constitutional law Benjamin Joshua Ong of Singapore Management University (SMU). “The right to vote is a constitutional right, and we should welcome efforts that make it easier to exercise this right. Of course, democracy is much more than just putting a piece of paper into a box every few years. But voting is a solemn ritual that reinforces a citizen’s ties to the democratic system.” Watch | Mother's Day Special: Sarah Todd shares easy cooking tips for busy parents × National University of Singapore adjunct law professor Kevin Tan said the postal votes from overseas voters could matter in an election like the 2011 Presidential Election, where Dr. Tony Tan Keng Yam edged out Dr. Tan Cheng Bock by 7,382 votes. “Looking at it quantitatively, the overseas votes might have swung the election the other way because the margin was very, very slim,” he said. He also asserted that voting is a constitutional right and the modifications done by the ELD were long overdue. The 56-year-old lawyer Benjamin Yap, a Singaporean living in Ho Chi Minh City will now be able to vote from overseas. “I have been away from Singapore for so long, but I still feel Singaporean at heart. I see my ability to exercise my right to vote as very much intrinsic to my status as a Singaporean,” said Mr Yap, who lives with his wife and their 15-year-old son. He is one of 185,800 Singaporeans living abroad. Another first in the next election will be the establishment of special polling places on the nursing homes' grounds and the use of mobile polling teams to collect ballots from residents who are bedridden there. The unique voting arrangements will be tested in nursing homes with more than 50 voters, according to the ELD. Over 2,000 voters will be reached, or roughly two-thirds of registered voters who are now living in nursing homes. This will involve 25 to 30 nursing facilities. WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here. ×

Overseas Singaporeans casting vote by post can be game-changer in presidential election: Experts

<p>US&nbsp;House of Representatives Democrats unveiled on Wednesday legislation that would require same-day processing for mail-in ballots and give the cash-strapped Postal Service a $25 billion infusion while erasing changes pursued by the agency's new leader, an ally of President Donald Trump.</p>

<p>The Democratic-led House is scheduled to vote on the legislation on Saturday, though there is little chance for passage in the Republican-led Senate. The bill would prevent the Postal Service from implementing policies to alter service levels that were in effect at the beginning of this year.</p>

<p>Democrats and other critics have accused the Republican president of trying to impair the Postal Service to suppress mail-in voting as he trails Democratic challenger Joe Biden in opinion polls ahead of the Nov. 3 election.&nbsp;</p>

<p><strong>Also read:&nbsp;</strong><a href="/world/speaker-pelosi-to-call-us-house-back-into-session-to-vote-on-postal-service-bill-321062" hreflang="en">Speaker Pelosi to call US House back into session to vote on Postal Service bill</a></p>

<p>Under intense criticism, Postmaster General Louis DeJoy announced on Tuesday that he would put on hold until after the election cost-cutting moves at the Postal Service that Democratic lawmakers and state attorneys general argued could imperil mail-in voting. DeJoy said he suspended all "operational initiatives" through Election Day to "avoid even the appearance of any impact on election mail."</p>

<p>DeJoy, who has been a major political donor to Trump, assumed the job in June.</p>

<p>The Postal Service long has faced financial woes with the rise of email and social media, losing $80 billion since 2007, including $2.2 billion in the three months ending June 30.</p>

<p>Democrats want DeJoy to explain how he will reverse the changes he has made, including whether he will order the return of sorting machines already removed.&nbsp;</p>

<p><strong>Also read:&nbsp;</strong><a href="/world/us-house-speaker-makes-wearing-masks-mandatory-for-lawmakers-and-staff-316879" hreflang="en">US House Speaker makes wearing masks mandatory for lawmakers and staff</a></p>

<p>Separately, Senator Chuck Schumer, the top Senate Democrat, asked the Postal Service Board of Governors to release all materials related to the selection of DeJoy and for "additional information" regarding the role of Trump and Treasury Secretary Mnuchin in the search and selection process.</p>

<p>The board in May said it reviewed records of more than 200 candidates before narrowing the list to more than 50. The board then interviewed more than a dozen candidates in first round interviews, and invited seven candidates for follow-up interviews.</p>

<p>Trump has repeatedly and without evidence claimed that mail balloting is vulnerable to fraud. Voting by mail is nothing new in the United States, and Trump himself plans to vote by mail in Florida this year.</p>

<p>White House Chief of Staff Mark Meadows said the White House was not involved in the Postal Service changes. The Treasury Department and the Postal Service did not immediately respond to requests for comment.</p>


US House of Representatives Democrats unveiled on Wednesday legislation that would require same-day processing for mail-in ballots and give the cash-strapped Postal Service a $25 billion infusion while erasing changes pursued by the agency's new leader, an ally of President Donald Trump.

US House of Representatives Democrats unveiled on Wednesday legislation that would require same-day processing for mail-in ballots and give the cash-strapped Postal Service a $25 billion infusion while erasing changes pursued by the agency's new leader, an ally of President Donald Trump. The Democratic-led House is scheduled to vote on the legislation on Saturday, though there is little chance for passage in the Republican-led Senate. The bill would prevent the Postal Service from implementing policies to alter service levels that were in effect at the beginning of this year. Democrats and other critics have accused the Republican president of trying to impair the Postal Service to suppress mail-in voting as he trails Democratic challenger Joe Biden in opinion polls ahead of the Nov. 3 election. Also read: Speaker Pelosi to call US House back into session to vote on Postal Service bill Under intense criticism, Postmaster General Louis DeJoy announced on Tuesday that he would put on hold until after the election cost-cutting moves at the Postal Service that Democratic lawmakers and state attorneys general argued could imperil mail-in voting. DeJoy said he suspended all "operational initiatives" through Election Day to "avoid even the appearance of any impact on election mail." DeJoy, who has been a major political donor to Trump, assumed the job in June. The Postal Service long has faced financial woes with the rise of email and social media, losing $80 billion since 2007, including $2.2 billion in the three months ending June 30. Democrats want DeJoy to explain how he will reverse the changes he has made, including whether he will order the return of sorting machines already removed. Also read: US House Speaker makes wearing masks mandatory for lawmakers and staff Separately, Senator Chuck Schumer, the top Senate Democrat, asked the Postal Service Board of Governors to release all materials related to the selection of DeJoy and for "additional information" regarding the role of Trump and Treasury Secretary Mnuchin in the search and selection process. The board in May said it reviewed records of more than 200 candidates before narrowing the list to more than 50. The board then interviewed more than a dozen candidates in first round interviews, and invited seven candidates for follow-up interviews. Trump has repeatedly and without evidence claimed that mail balloting is vulnerable to fraud. Voting by mail is nothing new in the United States, and Trump himself plans to vote by mail in Florida this year. White House Chief of Staff Mark Meadows said the White House was not involved in the Postal Service changes. The Treasury Department and the Postal Service did not immediately respond to requests for comment.

US House to vote on $25 billion postal infusion, mail-in ballot safeguards

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