Journalists On Poll Duty Can Vote Through Postal Ballots; Check How To Vote

Bhubaneswar: The Election Commission of India (ECI) has authorised the media persons on election coverage to vote through postal ballots.

Those working in essential services such as healthcare can vote in this methods in the Lok Sabha and assembly polls in four States.

How to use postal ballot—

1. Collect Form 12D from office of DEO/RO. The same can be downloaded from website of DEO/RO.
2. Submit the Form 12D along with certificate from Nodal Officer to RO of the PC within period following five days of notification (as per election schedule for PC).
3. Voting for postal ballots starts six days before the poll day and ends three days before poll day (P6 to P3).
4. The applicant has to go to the voting centres as intimated by RO to cast his vote through postal ballot.

The ECI wrote to all state chief electoral officers regarding the categories of absentee voters.

“The departments of the notified category of electors may be informed accordingly and may be asked to nominate ‘Nodal Officer’ for the purpose of the postal ballot facility to such electors. The Nodal Officer may be briefed about the facility and the responsibilities and duties to be carried out by him/her. Copies of Form 12D appended to the Conduct of Elections Rules, 1961 may be made available to the Nodal Officer. Nodal officer should inform the electors concerned about the facility,” the EC letter to all chief electoral officers read.