Question : Postal Ballots

(a) whether the Government has taken into consideration the Election Commission‘s recommendation to allow the postal ballots system to be used by nonresident Indians;
(b) if so, the details thereof;
(c) if not, reasons therefor;
(d) the details of steps the Government is planning to take to make the process of voting more accessible to non-resident Indians;
(e) whether the Government has taken into consideration the extension of the postal ballots system to senior citizens and those who are unable to cast their votes at the polling booth for medical reasons;
(f) if so, the details thereof; and
(g) if not, reasons therefor.

MINISTER OF LAW AND JUSTICE, COMMUNICATIONS AND ELECTRONICS & INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY
(SHRI RAVI SHANKAR PRASAD)

(a) to (d): The Election Commission of India has taken upa proposal to amend the Conduct of Elections Rules, 1961 to facilitate Electronically Transmitted Postal Ballot System for overseas electors. The matter is still under discussions with Ministry of External Affairs to iron out the logistical challenges involved in the implementation of the proposal.
(e) to (g): Based on a proposal from the Election Commission of India, the Conduct of Election Rules, 1961 was amended vide Notification dated 22nd October, 2019 to provide for postal ballot facility for senior citizens above eighty years of age and persons with disability (PWDs) and also for those who are not in a position to be present in their polling station on the day of poll owing to exigencies of their service conditions, such as those on duty in the aviation sector, trains, shipping sector, long distance Govt. Road transport corporation buses, fire services, medical services, traffic, media personnel authorized for coverage of elections, etc.

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