Home voting process begins in state

Bhubaneswar: The state’s chief electoral officer (CEO) has initiated the process to collect postal ballots from those who have opted for home voting.

The Election Commission for the first time has allowed voters over 85 years of age and those having 40% and above disability to opt for home voting with an aim to ensure higher turnout and involve all in the democratic process.

Four parliamentary constituencies — Kalahandi, Nabrangpur, Koraput and Berhampur — and 28 assembly seats under them will go to polls on May 13.

Accordingly, the CEO’s office has identified 4,158 voters who have opted for home voting in the four parliamentary constituencies and 28 assembly seats in the first phase of polling.

These include 2,196 voters aged 85 years and above and 1,962 voters having 40% and above disability.

An official statement on Saturday said the home vote collection process has already begun in Koraput parliamentary constituency. CEO Nikunja Bihari Dhal is overlooking the whole process, the statement added.

Dhal said adequate facilities have been created by the returning officers for collecting the postal ballots. He said pick-up and drop-off facility with dedicated vehicles has also been created to collect these votes.

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