The District Election Officer of East Jaiñtia Hills informed today that, as per instructions from the Election Commission of India, all voting persons with disabilities (PWD) who have at least 40 percent disability and are marked in the electoral roll and senior citizens 80 years and above who are unable to cast their votes on the February 27 polling day at the polling station due to health issues are allowed to cast a vote by postal ballot.
In a separate notice, it was also informed that postal ballots are also available for people who are suspected of being Covid-19 positive or who have tested positive for the disease.
The DEO also informed that the application for postal ballot in form 12D is to be submitted by PWD voters and senior citizens to the Returning Officer before February 5.
PWD voters also have to submit a copy of their disability certificate issued by the certifying authority under Section 2 of the Rights of Person with Disabilities Act 2016. Furthermore, the Booth Level Officers will be deployed for distribution of form 12D to PWD voters and senior citizens and such voters who choose to vote by postal ballot can re-submit the filled-in Form 12 to the Returning Officer through the BLO.
The date and time visit of polling officers to facilitate casting of vote by postal ballot will be intimated to such voters.
Covid-affected persons, whether at home or in institutional quarantine, may submit their application in Form 12D accompanied with a copy of a certificate/instruction from competent health authorities that shows that the applicant is hospitalised or in quarantine on account of Covid-19.
The BLOs will also be deployed for distribution and collection of Form 12D from Covid-affected voters. The date for facilitation of casting of postal ballot will be intimated by the concerned Returning Officer.
