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Karnataka polls: EC brings ‘Vote from Home’ option, here is how it works?

Now, that the EC has announced dates for polling, BBMP officials along with an EC team will start visiting homes of those with 80 years of age and those with some form of disability.

New Delhi: The Election Commission (EC) announced the poll dates for Karnataka Assembly Elections on Wednesday and rolled out a unique initiative for greater engagement of electorate in the polling process and thus empowering the electoral democracy.

The EC introduced ‘Vote for Home’ (VFH) facility for the elderly residents, with age above 80 years and also those with disabilities. The first-of-its kind initiative will facilitate greater participation of senior citizens in electing 224 members of the Karnataka Assembly as they will have facility to cast vote from home & not visit any polling centre.

All 224 seats of the Assembly will be held on May 10 and results will be announced on May 13. It is likely to be a triangular contest between BJP, Congress & JD(U).

Karnataka has a voter base of 5.21 crore people, out of which 12.15 lakh voters are said to be above 80 years age and people with disability amount to little more than 5 lakh. First time voters also account for significant number in the state as about 9.17 youth will become eligible for first-time voting.

About the first-of-its kind initiative?

Now, that the EC has announced dates for polling, BBMP officials along with an EC team will start visiting homes of those with 80 years of age and those with some form of disability.

They will be asked to fill a form 12-D and their consent taken over exercising their franchise from home.

On the day of voting, polling officials will bring the postal ballot system to their homes and get their votes casted.

Polling teams will be deployed by the Returning Officer (RO) at lakhs of designated homes, who will collect their postal ballot on pre-informed dates & then deposit it at the polling office.

For making the path-breaking initiative a success, the BBMP officials have already taken up the door-to-door campaign and informing the residents about the new facility. Elderly people, in particular, are being impressed upon about the EC’s new step and how this will curtail the rigours of visiting polling station & then cast their ballot.

Till now, all elderly people including octogenarian or those reaching century had to visit polling station despite all the troubles, though they were given priority in casting ballot & also escorted in & out by the polling officials.