Postal Ballot System

Recently, Union Law Ministry has reduced the age limit for senior citizens who opt for postal ballot in the Lok Sabha and Assembly elections.
By this voter aged above 65 years or a Covid-19 suspect can opt for postal ballot.
Recently, Election Commission said that option of postal ballots for electors above the age of 65 in the Bihar Assembly elections cannot be implemented due to logistic issues.
Earlier, in 2019, the Law Ministry had amended the Conduct of Election Rules to allow persons with disabilities and those who are 80 years of age or above to opt for postal ballot during Lok Sabha and Assembly elections.
Under Postal Ballot system, ballot papers are distributed electronically to electors and are returned to the election officers via post.
Currently, only the following voters are allowed to cast their votes through postal ballot:
- Service voters (armed forces, the armed police force of a state and government servants posted abroad),
- Voters on election duty,
- Voters above 80 years of age or Persons with Disabilities (PwD)
- Voters under preventive detention.
- The exception to the above-mentioned category of voters is provided under Section 60 of the Representation of the People Act, 1951.