Postal Ballot – Change in Rules

RSD- election news: The Election Commission has introduced postal ballot system to enable the staff of various departments involved in election duties to exercise their right to vote. Sometimes postal ballot votes also affect the candidate’s winning margin. However, there are allegations that the employees keep the postal ballot in their possession during the elections and make bargains with the political parties. There are also many incidents of political parties voting by taking postal ballots in their hands. Realizing that postal ballots are being misused, the Election Commission has recently made several changes in the rules. According to the changed rules, the employees will have to submit their postal ballot to the returning officer at the centre allotted to them instead of keeping it with them. A special postal ballot centre will be set up at the place where the polling functions will be performed. In that centre the employees have the opportunity to use their postal ballot vote. The employees performing the duties in the elections will be provided with Form-12 and Form 12A during the training for using the postal ballot.