The Election Commission will be adopting a measure to enable people above 80 years and individuals with disabilities to Vote-from-Home (VFH) in the upcoming Karnataka Assembly elections. According to Chief Election Commissioner Rajiv Kumar, this initiative aims to empower around 12.15 lakh elderly voters and 5.55 lakh persons with disabilities who may face difficulties in reaching polling stations. In a first-of-its-kind move, officials will visit the homes of these voters who cannot come to the polling stations due to various reasons and assist them in exercising their right to vote. Kumar announced this on Saturday, March 25, ahead of the elections.
But how does this work? Within five days of the election dates being announced, officials from BBMP and the Election Commission visit the homes of those having a voter ID card and are above 80 years of age or have any disabilities with a form called 12-D. Consent will be taken from them regarding whether they wish to vote from home or will go to the polling booth to cast their votes. Those who are unable to visit the polling booth can cast their votes using the postal ballot system brought to their homes by Booth Level Officers (BLOs). A Returning Officer (RO) will deploy polling teams, who will deliver and collect the postal ballot on pre-informed dates and deposit it with the RO.
BBMP officials have already started canvassing about the new measure in several areas in Bengaluru and also going door-to-door to enquire about the residents who can avail this facility. Residents are first asked if they are able to come to the polling station to vote. If the residents express their inability to do so, then they are informed about the procedure to vote at home through a postal ballot. The measure is sure to come as a huge relief to 80-plus aged residents who have to head out to the polling stations in the peak of summer. Till now, such senior citizens and people with disabilities would be escorted inside the polling booth by people stationed at the centres, so they do not have to wait in line.
“We will always encourage everyone to visit the polling booth and cast their vote, since all polling booths have ramps, electricity, water facility and constantly work on reducing waiting time. However, we are excited to roll out this facility for those aged 80 and above and people with disabilities as it will allow more people to participate in this festival of voting,” said BBMP Special Commissioner (Elections), Ujjwal Kumar Ghosh.
“The exercise will be carried out with the help of more than 8,000 BLOs across the city, along with other officials,” he further said. Ghosh also added that the officials will ensure beforehand that the voters are at home while they are visiting for consent by calling them. If a person is not available, then the officials will visit their home again at a convenient time.