Making provisions and learning how to vote online can save a lot of time and effort. After all, voting is a fundamental right of every Indian citizen. To make the process hassle-free for every Indian, as much convenience as possible should be provided. In the quest to modernise the democratic process, the Election Commission of India (ECI) has advanced with baby steps towards online voting. It is happening for the first time in the country pertaining to the ongoing Lok Sabha elections in 2024.
In this article, we will explore what difference does the online voting make for people, who is eligible to vote online, and how one can cast their vote from the comfort of their home.
Why Do We Need Vote-From-Home Facility?
The traditional method of voting we have had so far presents various challenges. Things such as long queues, geographical constraints, and accessibility issues for persons with disabilities (PwD) and senior citizens. Also, not to mention that safety of the voters are sometimes at stake in the voting booths.
Think, overseas Indians, number more than one lakh, are also eligible to vote in Indian elections. But most of them are not able to physically appear for voting. According to the EC, roughly 25,000 overseas Indians flew to India during the last Lok Sabha elections to exercise their voting rights.
In such a scenario, online voting can be a solution to promote inclusivity and efficiency in the electoral process. By introducing online voting, the ECI aims to facilitate broader participation in elections, particularly among vulnerable groups such as PwD and senior citizens aged 85 and above.
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Who Are Eligible To Vote Online Currently?
The recent extension of the ‘vote-from-home’ facility by the ECI is mainly focused on Persons with Disabilities (PwD) and senior citizens aged 85 and above. This initiative opens up opportunities for more than 85 lakh senior citizens and 88.4 lakh persons with disabilities to cast their votes through the Electronically Transmitted Postal Ballot System (ETPBS).
Policemen and soldiers who are away from there homes, people involved in essential services like metro, healthcare and railways are also eligible for this facility.
The Election Commission of India (ECI) created ETPBS to make sure all eligible service members can vote easily, even when they are away from their voting area. This secure system sends a complete voting ballot (with all forms) electronically to the service voter.
However, many eligible voters still aren’t aware how to vote India in the elections of Lok Sabha through online registration. So next, we are going to beak down the process on how to vote online.
How To Vote Online Step-By-Step?
To participate in online voting, interested electors must follow a simple process:
- Fill Out Form 12D: When you get notified about the election in your area, you will have to submit consent by filling out a form called Form 12D within five days. You can find the form on the official website here: (https://www.eci.gov.in). If you’re a person with a disability, you will also need to include a certificate that proves your disability. Once Form 12D is filled out, it shall be submitted to the respective returning officer for the constituency you belong to.
- Wait for the Visit: After they get your form, the Booth Level Officer (BLO) will come to your home to pick it up. They’ll also make sure everything is okay with your application. If you want, you can have someone you trust to oversee this process. This is how the electoral authorities will verify the eligibility of you being a voter and authorise your participation in the online voting process.
- Voting at Home: On the day scheduled, a team of people, along with security, will come to your house to help you vote. They’ll let you know beforehand when they’re coming, so you can be ready. You can even get SMS alerts to remind you.
- Recording Everything: To make sure everything is fair, they’ll record the whole process on video. This helps keep everything transparent and honest.
If you or any member of your family is an eligible voter, they can follow the above steps for how to vote india Lok Sabha 2024 and successfully participate in the electoral process via online voting. It will be a fresh start to a more inclusive and accessible democracy.
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Wrapping Up
In the end, being able to vote online will be a significant advancement in India’s electoral system. Be it the Lok Sabha elections or the Assembly elections. The problems of having to travel to a voting booth, standing in long queues for hours, or taking a day off work will be resolved to an extent. The current online voting process is designed to overcome barriers and make it more seamless. The ‘vote-from-home’ facility for people who direly need it, like senior citizens and PwD, is a blessing and a welcome initiative. Also, with the possibility of expansion of online voting in the future, the ECI will make sure that every citizen’s voice is heard in the democratic process as they say ‘no voter to be left behind’.
Do you have any further queries about how to vote online? Drop your questions in the comments below!
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