BBMP starts process to identify those aged above 80 who may want to vote from home

BENGALURU: With the Election Commission of India announcing the ‘Vote from Home’ option for registered voters aged above 80 years and persons with disabilities, Covid-19 infected or affected persons, the Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike has started already started pre-poll activities and is distributing Form 12-D to those planning to vote from home.

This is for the first time, Election Commission of India has announced the option to vote from home for select groups. The BBMP has already conducted a survey of senior citizens aged above 80 years and there are more than 20 lakh senior citizens in the 26 Assembly constituencies in Bengaluru. Now, the Booth Level Officers (BLOs) will visit houses to identify who among them can visit the polling booths and those who want to vote from home. Following this, the civic agency will prepare a blueprint for postal voting.

The BBMP is making preparations for  facilitating those aged above 80 years to vote from home.

If senior citizens wish to vote from home, the officials will have to ensure secrecy of ballot. If any disabled or aged citizen likes to visit the polling station and cast their vote, the BLOs will arrange wheelchairs and vehicles.

Guidelines for electoral staff

Electoral staff and BLOs should not ask ballot voters for whom they voted for.

BLOs or electoral staff should not insist to vote for any particular party.

They should explain only about postal voting.

After voting, postal ballots should be collected confidentially and kept securely.

Wheelchairs and vehicles should be arranged for the disabled, sick persons before the polls.