Govt amends rules to allow postal ballots for those aged 85 or above, not 80-plus

According to the electoral roll published on February 8, of the 96.88 crore electors in the country, 1.85 crore were above the age of 80.

The rules enable postal ballot voting for a “notified class of electors”, which includes essential services workers, persons with disabilities, Covid-19-infected or suspected cases and senior citizens. (Representational image/File)

For the upcoming Lok Sabha and State Assembly elections, senior citizens who are 85 years and older will be able to opt for postal ballots as the government on Friday amended the rule to increase the eligibility from the current limit of 80 years and above.

In a gazette notification, the Union Law Ministry amended the Conduct of Elections Rules-1961 to change the definition of senior citizens who are eligible to choose the postal ballot facility from those “above 80 years” to those “above 85 years”. This, the notification said, was “after consulting the Election Commission of India”.

“In the conduct of Elections Rules-1961, in rule 27A, in clause (e), for the words and figures ―above 80 years, the words and figures ―above 85 years shall be substituted,” the notification said.

ALSO READ | Decode Politics: Journey of a vote — how EVMs, postal ballots make their way to voters and back

According to the electoral roll published on February 8, out of the total 96.88 crore electors in the country, 1.85 crore were those above the age of 80 years.

Chief Election Commissioner Rajiv Kumar could not be reached for a comment and an EC spokesperson responded with “no comment”.

The postal ballot facility had been extended to persons with disability, absentee voters who are working in essential services and senior citizens (above 80 years) for the first time in 2019, after an amendment to the Conduct of Elections Rules on the recommendation of the ECI. Those who opt for the facility are visited at home by poll officials, who facilitate the filling up of the postal ballots. The whole procedure is done after informing the political parties and under videography.

Story continues below this ad

During the Covid-19 pandemic, the facility was extended to those infected or suspected to be infected with the coronavirus, starting with the Bihar Assembly elections in 2020. Before the Bihar elections, the EC had recommended extending the postal ballot facility to those above 65 years of age and the Law Ministry had notified the amendment on June 19, 2020. However, the ECI eventually decided not to extend the facility to those above 65 years. According to EC sources, this was because the number of polling parties that would be required to cover the expanded age group would have been impractical. On August 23, 2023, the Law Ministry again amended the rule to take the eligibility back to 80 years from 65 years.

Damini Nath

Damini Nath is an Assistant Editor with the national bureau of The Indian Express. She covers the housing and urban affairs and Election Commission beats. She has 11 years of experience as a reporter and sub-editor. Before joining The Indian Express in 2022, she was a reporter with The Hindu’s national bureau covering culture, social justice, housing and urban affairs and the Election Commission. Expertise Key Coverage Areas: Damini Nath currently specializes in reporting on two crucial beats: Housing and Urban Affairs: Providing in-depth analysis and reporting on India's urban development, policy, and housing issues. Election Commission (EC): Offering authoritative coverage of electoral processes, policies, and the functioning of India's constitutional body responsible for conducting elections. Professional Background: Her extensive experience includes roles as a reporter and sub-editor, demonstrating a comprehensive understanding of the journalistic process from fieldwork to final production. Previous Role: Before joining The Indian Express in 2022, she served as a dedicated reporter with The Hindu’s national bureau, where her reporting portfolio included: Culture Social Justice Housing and Urban Affairs The Election Commission beat (a consistent area of focus). Trustworthiness Damini Nath's decade-plus career at two of India's most respected and authoritative news institutions, The Indian Express and The Hindu, underscores her commitment to factual, impartial, and high-quality reporting, establishing her as a trusted and credible source for news on urban governance and electoral matters. ... Read More