<p>As India gears up to hold the world’s largest elections in human history, special emphasis has been placed on taking care of the special needs of elderly voters and those with physical disabilities. The country’s Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Rajiv Kumar said Saturday (Mar 16) that they will be given the option to vote from their homes in a first in Indian general elections.</p>

<p>"Generally the tendency has been that the senior citizens want to participate in the process and walk to the booth. But this time, we have given them options to vote in their homes," the CEC said.</p>

<p>The top election official said that the facility can also be availed by those with more than 40 per cent disability. To avail the facility, voters must submit Form 12 D with the election boy within five days of the poll notification.</p>

<h2><strong>Definition changed&nbsp;for senior citizens</strong></h2>

<p>Earlier, the union law ministry had amended the Conduct of Elections Rules-1961 to change the definition of senior citizens who are eligible to choose the postal ballot facility from those “above 80 years" to those “above 85 years".</p>

<p>According to the latest data provided by the Election Commission of India (ECI), there are about 8.2 million senior citizens in the country eligible for voting in the elections conducted to fill the lower house of the Indian Parliament, Lok Sabha.</p>

<p><strong>Watch:&nbsp;Indian states aim trillion-dollar GDP</strong></p>

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<p>The facility was first introduced in the 2020 Bihar Assembly elections in the face of the COVID-19 pandemic.&nbsp;</p>

<p>"10.5 lakh (1 million) polling booths nationwide offer a seamless voting experience for voters, equipped with assured minimum facilities. From ramps for PwDs to assistance for pregnant women, our aim is inclusive participation. Every voice matters," the Commission said Saturday.</p>

<h2><strong>Elderly people prefer to vote in person</strong></h2>

<p>According to a senior EC official quoted in media reports, reviews and feedback from at least 11 states showed that 97-98 per cent of elderly voters preferred to vote in person at polling stations rather than through postal ballot.</p>

<p><strong>Also read:&nbsp;<a data-ved="2ahUKEwj2p-yKov2EAxVByDgGHUbvBWcQxfQBKAB6BAgPEAE" href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/cant-be-selective-supreme-court-directs-sbi-to-share-details-of-all-electoral-bonds-by-march-21-701359" jsname="YKoRaf" ping="/url?sa=t&amp;source=web&amp;rct=j&amp;opi=89978449&amp;url=https://www.wionews.com/india-news/cant-be-selective-supreme-court-directs-sbi-to-share-details-of-all-electoral-bonds-by-march-21-701359&amp;ved=2ahUKEwj2p-yKov2EAxVByDgGHUbvBWcQxfQBKAB6BAgPEAE">`Can`t be selective`: Supreme Court directs SBI to share details of all electoral bonds by March 21</a></strong></p>

<p>“The 80-plus voters, who have witnessed independence, have shown far more keenness to vote physically, setting an example for youths who are not so enthusiastic despite being able-bodied. For the former, voting is a reason to venture out of their homes. Many times, they are accompanied by one or more family members, who may not vote otherwise,” an official was quoted as saying by The Times of India.</p>

<p><em>(With inputs from agencies)</em></p>


As India gears up to hold the world’s largest elections in human history, special emphasis has been placed on taking care of the special needs of elderly voters and those with physical disabilities.

As India gears up to hold the world’s largest elections in human history, special emphasis has been placed on taking care of the special needs of elderly voters and those with physical disabilities. The country’s Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Rajiv Kumar said Saturday (Mar 16) that they will be given the option to vote from their homes in a first in Indian general elections. "Generally the tendency has been that the senior citizens want to participate in the process and walk to the booth. But this time, we have given them options to vote in their homes," the CEC said. The top election official said that the facility can also be availed by those with more than 40 per cent disability. To avail the facility, voters must submit Form 12 D with the election boy within five days of the poll notification. Definition changed for senior citizens Earlier, the union law ministry had amended the Conduct of Elections Rules-1961 to change the definition of senior citizens who are eligible to choose the postal ballot facility from those “above 80 years" to those “above 85 years". According to the latest data provided by the Election Commission of India (ECI), there are about 8.2 million senior citizens in the country eligible for voting in the elections conducted to fill the lower house of the Indian Parliament, Lok Sabha. Watch: Indian states aim trillion-dollar GDP × The facility was first introduced in the 2020 Bihar Assembly elections in the face of the COVID-19 pandemic. "10.5 lakh (1 million) polling booths nationwide offer a seamless voting experience for voters, equipped with assured minimum facilities. From ramps for PwDs to assistance for pregnant women, our aim is inclusive participation. Every voice matters," the Commission said Saturday. Elderly people prefer to vote in person According to a senior EC official quoted in media reports, reviews and feedback from at least 11 states showed that 97-98 per cent of elderly voters preferred to vote in person at polling stations rather than through postal ballot. Also read: `Can`t be selective`: Supreme Court directs SBI to share details of all electoral bonds by March 21 “The 80-plus voters, who have witnessed independence, have shown far more keenness to vote physically, setting an example for youths who are not so enthusiastic despite being able-bodied. For the former, voting is a reason to venture out of their homes. Many times, they are accompanied by one or more family members, who may not vote otherwise,” an official was quoted as saying by The Times of India. (With inputs from agencies)

Lok Sabha elections 2024: India to allow its 8.2mn senior citizens to vote from home

<p><strong>Karnataka Elections 2023: </strong>The Election Commission of India has announced a new initiative for elderly and specially-abled voters to cast their votes from home in Karnataka&nbsp;as the assembly elections draw closer. This new voting arrangement will benefit approximately 5.71 lakh people with disabilities and 12,15,763 elderly people above the age of 80 in the state. A total of 99,529 people have chosen the 'vote from home'&nbsp;option including 80,250 senior citizens above the age of 80 and 19,729 specially-abled voters.</p>

<p>The number of elderly citizens and specially-abled voters varies across different districts in the state, with some areas having more voters eligible for this option than others. Bengaluru's metropolitan area has a total of 9,152 senior citizens and 119 specially-abled voters, while some constituencies have only seven elderly citizens each who will be casting their ballots from home. Sira constituency in Tumakuru has the highest number of such voters, with over 2,000 people eligible to vote from home.</p>

<h2><strong>How will vote from home process work?</strong></h2>

<p>The Chief Electoral Office&nbsp;of Karnataka clarified that this voting method is only applicable to people "who are either confined to their homes or suffering from age-related ailments." The voting exercise will start on April 29 and continue until May 6, during which separate polling staff will visit each eligible voter's house with a team of five members, including two polling officials, one cop, and one videographer.</p>

<p>They will check the voter's ID, obtain a declaration, and hand over a ballot paper. The voter will have to cast their vote inside a secret compartment and drop it in an envelope. If the voter is not available during the visit, the team will reschedule the visit. If the voter is not available during the second visit, they will lose the chance to vote.</p>

<h2><strong>Postal ballot service also available</strong></h2>

<p>In addition to this, 47,488 service voters and 13,771 essential services category voters will also be provided with the postal ballot facility. The postal ballot sent to them electronically can be downloaded using a link via the ETPBS system, and all ballots received by 8 am on May 13 will be considered for counting.</p>

<p>This initiative will ensure that every citizen can participate in the democratic process, even if they are unable to leave their homes.&nbsp;</p>

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Karnataka Elections 2023: The Election Commission of India has announced a new initiative for elderly and specially-abled voters to cast their votes from home in Karnataka as the assembly elections draw closer.

Karnataka Elections 2023: The Election Commission of India has announced a new initiative for elderly and specially-abled voters to cast their votes from home in Karnataka as the assembly elections draw closer. This new voting arrangement will benefit approximately 5.71 lakh people with disabilities and 12,15,763 elderly people above the age of 80 in the state. A total of 99,529 people have chosen the 'vote from home' option including 80,250 senior citizens above the age of 80 and 19,729 specially-abled voters. The number of elderly citizens and specially-abled voters varies across different districts in the state, with some areas having more voters eligible for this option than others. Bengaluru's metropolitan area has a total of 9,152 senior citizens and 119 specially-abled voters, while some constituencies have only seven elderly citizens each who will be casting their ballots from home. Sira constituency in Tumakuru has the highest number of such voters, with over 2,000 people eligible to vote from home. How will vote from home process work? The Chief Electoral Office of Karnataka clarified that this voting method is only applicable to people "who are either confined to their homes or suffering from age-related ailments." The voting exercise will start on April 29 and continue until May 6, during which separate polling staff will visit each eligible voter's house with a team of five members, including two polling officials, one cop, and one videographer. They will check the voter's ID, obtain a declaration, and hand over a ballot paper. The voter will have to cast their vote inside a secret compartment and drop it in an envelope. If the voter is not available during the visit, the team will reschedule the visit. If the voter is not available during the second visit, they will lose the chance to vote. Postal ballot service also available In addition to this, 47,488 service voters and 13,771 essential services category voters will also be provided with the postal ballot facility. The postal ballot sent to them electronically can be downloaded using a link via the ETPBS system, and all ballots received by 8 am on May 13 will be considered for counting. This initiative will ensure that every citizen can participate in the democratic process, even if they are unable to leave their homes. WATCH WION LIVE HERE ×

Karnataka Elections 2023: Election Commission of India introduces ‘Vote from Home’ option

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Lok Sabha elections 2024: India to allow its 8.2mn senior citizens to vote from home

Karnataka Elections 2023: Election Commission of India introduces ‘Vote from Home’ option