Decode Politics: Why YSRCP is paying so much attention to postal ballots

The 2019 Andhra Pradesh Assembly elections saw 2.39 lakh postal ballots being cast. The average number of postal ballots per constituency added up to around 1,300 votes. However, since the YSRCP started “decentralised governance” through village and ward-level sachivalayams (secretariats), the number of government employees, who form the major chunk of the voters eligible for postal ballots, has seen a rise.

In the recently-concluded polls, an estimated 5.3 lakh people were eligible to vote through postal ballots, taking the average to around 4,000 per constituency.

In the 2019 polls, the YSRCP won around 15 Assembly seats with a margin of around 4,000 votes. “The election is much closer than it was in 2019. The seats where we narrowly won could switch if all the postal ballots are counted. This is a cause of concern for us,” a YSRCP leader in Vijayawada said.

The leader added that postal ballots could play a key role in deciding the outcome in seats like Vizianagaram, Nellore Rural, Srikakulam and Gudur.

Another YSRCP district office-bearer in Palnadu district said that it is widely believed that government employees do not vote in favour of the incumbent government. “It is unlikely that postal ballots will be the only factor in deciding the outcome of the polls but in some constituencies like Tatikonda, where we secured a narrow win (LAST TIME??), they could play an important part,” she said, adding that the YSRCP, though, was not worried. “We expect government employees to vote in our favour as we have done a lot for them.”

* What instructions did the EC issue recently?

In an order on May 25, Andhra Pradesh Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) Mukesh Kumar Meena had said that postal ballots which do not have the seal of the RO will also be deemed valid. “The postal ballot declaration which is signed by the gazetted officer and has no seal, will not be treated as invalid. Whether the voter cast his or her vote correctly on the ballot paper should be checked,” the CEO said in the order, which has been circulated to all district election officers (DEOs).

* Why did the YSRCP object?

In his appeal to the EC on Wednesday, seeking “urgent” review of several recent instructions regarding postal ballots, YSRCP Rajya Sabha member S Niranjan Reddy on Wednesday claimed it “could compromise the integrity of the electoral process”. “The instructions, particularly those issued on May 25… appear to contradict earlier guidelines provided by the Election Commission of India,” the MP said in a letter to Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) S Rajeev Kumar.

On Thursday, after the YSRCP moved the Andhra Pradesh High Court on the issue, the EC announced that it was withdrawing the recent instructions.

* What do the EC rules say?

According to rule 14.10 of the EC’s guidelines for postal ballots, “… the declaration and signature of the elector in Form 13A is to be attested by a Group A or Group B officer. For this purpose, the incharge of each of the facilitation centre shall attest the declaration in Form 13A after the voter has marked his choice and put the postal ballot in the inner envelope. The officer shall attest the declaration based on the identification of the voter by his identity documents.”

The rules also mandate the officer to check the serial number of the ballot paper and ensure that it is signed by the elector before attesting the ballot paper. The attesting officer is required to append full signature with date and write in hand or put a stamp showing his designation and office address.

* What is the TDP’s take?

The TDP claims the Jagan Mohan Reddy-led party is trying to rake up unnecessary issues as they are staring at certain defeat. “Jagan had made commitments to employees, including the removal of the contributory pension scheme among other things. He never stood by his commitment. Government employees are disheartened and upset, and they (the YSRCP) know it. Hence, they are concerned when it comes to postal ballots,” TDP general secretary Nara Lokesh told The Indian Express.

Another TDP leader in Kadapa said that the YSRCP fears backlash over the “injustice” it has meted out to government employees. “It is clear that the TDP is coming to power and government employees will play a key role in the victory. Also, the employees see that the TDP can do a lot of good for them,” he said.