Meet held to discuss postal ballot facility for absentee voters in Dibrugarh

STAFF CORRESPONDENT

DIBRUGARH: In line with the Election Commission of India's direction to provide postal ballot facility for absentee voters, a preparatory meeting in Dibrugarh was held on Friday under the chairmanship of the Additional Deputy Commissioner, Dibrugarh, Nandita Baruah.

The meeting which was held at the Training Hall of DC Office, was also attended by Dibrugarh Election Officer, Hrishikesh Baruah, representatives from Divyang association and senior citizens' associations of Dibrugarh.

It may be mentioned here that as per ECI's decision, this time postal ballot facility will be provided to PWD voters above 80 years of age. They can now cast their votes through postal ballots. Those who are COVID positive /suspect cases and in quarantine (home /institutional) would be able to cast their votes through postal ballots. The move is expected to help increase the voter turnout. Voting through postal ballots option is already available to armed forces and those assigned poll duties.

In the meeting ADC Nandita Baruah said, "We will allow the absentee voters to vote through postal ballot this time. Absentee voters include the Persons with Disabilities (PwD), senior citizens who are above 80 years and COVID positive/suspects in quarantine (home and institutional). They will have to submit form 12-D to avail this facility. Once they fill the form, they will not be able to cast their votes at a polling station."

She also informed that the BLOs will visit the houses of the concerned electors, as per list provided by the RO in the Polling Station area and deliver 12-D form to the concerned electors. If an elector is not available, he/she will share his /her contact details and the BLO will revisit to collect it within five days of the notification. The elector may or may not opt for Postal Ballot in the acknowledgement attached with the form 12-D. If he/she opts for postal ballot, then the BLO will collect the filled in form 12-D from the house of the elector within five days of the notification and deposit it with the RO.

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