Thiruvananthapuram: In a significant move ahead of the upcoming Local Self-Government (LSG) elections, the Kerala State Election Commission (SEC) has announced the discontinuation of the postal ballot system, popularly known as “vote from home.” This facility, which was previously extended to vulnerable groups during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, will not be implemented this year.
The decision impacts senior citizens, persons with disabilities (PwDs), and other special consideration groups who had benefitted from the convenience of casting their votes at home during the 2020 local body elections and subsequent Assembly polls. The system involved election officials or healthcare workers visiting residences to collect ballots.
According to the SEC’s announcement, the complete withdrawal of the home voting system is attributed to the widespread relaxation of COVID-19 safety protocols and restrictions across the state.
Queue-Free Access Instead of Postal Ballots
While the home voting facility is being removed, the Commission has assured that measures will be taken to ensure voter convenience for the affected segments. Instead of postal ballots, special consideration will be granted to senior citizens and PwDs at the polling stations. This provision will allow them to skip the general queue and cast their votes swiftly, minimizing wait times and physical strain.
The home voting system, though helpful for bedridden patients and those in isolation, had sparked controversy in the past. The SEC is now reverting to conventional voting procedures while retaining special privileges at the booth level for vulnerable voters. The upcoming local body polls will thus require all voters, including those previously eligible for home voting, to physically arrive at their designated polling stations.
