Is this the first time such a facility has been rolled out?
Vote from home was previously tried out during Assembly elections in select regions.
This allowing people with disabilities, senior citizens and people affected by COVID-19 to avail the facility.
The ECI this year has, however, increased the upper age limit of elderly voters, from 80 to 85 years.
The ECI also extended the postal ballot option to media personnel covering ‘polling day activities’ with authorisation letters from the Election Commission, and those part of essential services such as metros, railways and health care.
The option is also open for service voters, such as personnel of the armed forces posted away from their hometowns, Central Armed Police Forces personnel deployed away from home, Central and State police personnel on election duty, and polling personnel and embassy staff on postings.
Why are activists calling for the rules to be amended?
The polling team is expected to follow the protocol under the Conduct of Elections Rules, 1961.
Each team of poll officers is required to (a) issue postal ballot to each of the Absentee Voters assigned to it, (b) brief the elector about the procedure to be followed for voting through postal ballot, (c) make sure that the elector votes without anyone influencing his/her choice, and ensure the secrecy of voting.
According to a November 2022 communique for the vote-from-home facility.
People with blindness or physical infirmity are allowed to nominate a companion and take their assistance while home voting.
What are the challenges?
Dr. Singh foresees some logistical hiccups, in coordinating requests, scheduling and moving paraphernalia around.
The scheme will also need a “massive level of awareness generation,” both among voters and polling officers, to attune the facilities to people’s needs.
The Election Commission has launched a Voter’s Guide, outlining the provisions and procedural details available to persons with disabilities and senior citizens.
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