Home voting through postal ballot began in the State today in a bid to facilitate senior citizens and people with disabilities to exercise their franchise.
The Election Commission of India has arranged the facility and election teams are undertaking arduous treks to reach the most far flung areas of the State, Chief Electoral Officer FR Kharkongor informed.
According to the ECI, “under the absentee category, people above 80 years of age, Covid positive patients, physically disabled and essential service providers (like railways, postal service etc.) can download the 12D form from the ECI website or receive a copy of the same from booth level officer (BLO). After filling it correctly, the 12D form should be submitted with the BLO within five days of notification of polls.”
Meghalaya has over 30,000 special voters (centenarians, octogenarians and voters with disabilities), 3, 844 service electors 81,443 first time electors and two neutral gender voters in the electoral roll this year.
“Citizens speak ‘Cheers to Indian Democracy. Mei, 87 has cast her vote. Her house became a mini polling station. Five personnel came along to ensure that it’s is free and fair polling. Well done EC. Mom casting her vote Congratulations on the initiative,” tweeted Chief Electoral Officer, Meghalaya mentioning the reaction of the daughter of an octogenarian woman.
Voting will be held in single-phase on February 27 and counting on March 2.
Meanwhile, there are 521 absentee voters who have registered for the upcoming February 27 election in Ri-Bhoi, the District Election Officer informed today.
In addition, voters from the district in the armed forces, police service, etc number 426. These have been issued with electronic postal ballots.
Polling teams have been formed in all the constituencies of Ri-Bhoi, with home voting for both categories scheduled from February 18 to 24.
The DEO’s office has set up a facilitation centre at the District Library in Nongpoh for casting postal ballots by police, polling personnel, official staff and drivers who are on election duty.
The centre opened today and will remain open until March 1 from 10am to 8pm daily.
