Moradabad/Bareilly: Facing the challenges arising out of the COVID-19 pandemic, Election commission (EC) has allowed handicapped, people above 80 and COVID patients to exercise their franchise through door-to-door voting facility. However, data from the Election Commission shows that majority of elderly and differently-abled voters are not willing to take advantage of this service.
Of the 24.2 lakh voters in UP who were above 80 years of age or disabled, only 10,000 had opted to vote from home, data updated till February 5 shows. In Moradabad DistrictThere are 40,000 such voters, out of which only 460 have opted for this facility. According to the Election Commission data, out of 10,000 people opting for home ballot in UP, 7,396 citizens are above 80 years of age, while 3,312 belong to the Persons with Disabilities (PWD) category (with at least 40 per cent disability).
To recall, on the recommendation of the Election Commission, Ministry of Law and Justice was amended conduct of election rules1961, 2019 to allow senior citizens and persons with disabilities in the absentee voter list.
Such voters can opt for postal ballots, a move that can help increase the turnout percentage. Notably, this is the first time in UP that postal ballot exercise is being conducted for people above 80 and COVID patients. Meanwhile, many of the people who have this facility claimed to be unaware of the facility.
Of the 24.2 lakh voters in UP who were above 80 years of age or disabled, only 10,000 had opted to vote from home, data updated till February 5 shows. In Moradabad DistrictThere are 40,000 such voters, out of which only 460 have opted for this facility. According to the Election Commission data, out of 10,000 people opting for home ballot in UP, 7,396 citizens are above 80 years of age, while 3,312 belong to the Persons with Disabilities (PWD) category (with at least 40 per cent disability).
To recall, on the recommendation of the Election Commission, Ministry of Law and Justice was amended conduct of election rules1961, 2019 to allow senior citizens and persons with disabilities in the absentee voter list.
Such voters can opt for postal ballots, a move that can help increase the turnout percentage. Notably, this is the first time in UP that postal ballot exercise is being conducted for people above 80 and COVID patients. Meanwhile, many of the people who have this facility claimed to be unaware of the facility.
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