The Election Commission of India (ECI) would introduce ‘Electronically Transmitted Postal Ballot’ for service voters outside the State for the first time in Jharkhand in upcoming general elections.
The ECI in 2016 developed a system under which a blank postal ballot could be electrically transmitted to the voter. The voter would have to download the ballot, fill it in and send it back through postal service.
State Chief Electoral Officer, L Khiangtey said, “Stressing on the use of IT in next general elections, the ECI has decided to introduce ‘Electronically Transmitted Postal Ballot’ in elections for the voters staying outside the State. They can participate in the festival of democracy through exercising their franchise through Electronically Transmitted Postal Ballot system.”
As per the provisions of Representation of the People Act, 1951 service voters includes, police personnel of central armed force, officers of state police service serving outside state, central government officers serving outside country, people from state serving in the embassies in foreign country and other government staff.
Khiangtey further said, “The move dispenses with the existing system of two-way postal ballots which caused significant delays. The Electronically Transmitted Postal Ballot’ also aimed at easing the difficulty faced by service voters in casting their votes from remote locations.” Under the new system voters will enable voters to download a postal ballot sent though mail, print the same, mark their vote and then send it though postal service to the returning officer.