MARGAO
Putting in place special arrangement for “absentee voters” to cast their vote in the February 14 election, South Goa district Electoral Officer, Ruchika Katyal, IAS has made a fervent plea to the voters to avail the special voting facility and exercise their right to vote in the ensuing polls.
The concept of “Absentee Voters” has been introduced considering the difficulties faced by Senior Citizens (above 80 years of age), Persons with Disability (PwD) and Covid suspects and affected persons in exercising their Right to Vote.
To facilitate such absentee voters, the district electoral officer has made special arrangements, wherein the BLO will distribute and collect Form 12D to/from such senior citizens (above 80 years of age), persons with disability (PwD) and Covid suspects and affected persons from the date of announcement of election.
Such application in Form 12 D seeking postal ballot facility should reach the RO of the respective Assembly constituency within five days following the date of notification of election which is 26/01/2022.
A polling team has been constituted who shall visit the eligible absentee voters to (those who will submit valid form 12D) facilitate the casting of postal vote on pre-informed date.
The entire absentee voting process will be completed by 13th February 2022. Electors who opt for voting through Postal Ballot through the above process will not be allowed to vote at the polling station.
An absentee voter means a person belonging to such class of persons as may be notified under clause (c) of section 60 of the Representation of People Act 1951. It includes senior citizen (above 80 years of age), persons with disability (PwD) and Covid suspects and affected persons.
These voters have been given a choice of voting either as absentee voter by way of postal ballot or as a regular voter on poll day. For availing the facility voting as absentee voter through postal ballot, voters should apply in Form 12D.
