What is postal voting?

In this facility, a voter can cast her vote remotely by recording her preference on the ballot paper and sending it back to the election officer before counting. A restricted set of voters can exercise postal voting.

Who can avail this facility?

• Members of the armed forces like the Army, Navy and Air Force, members of the armed police force of a state (serving outside the state), government employees posted outside India and their spouses are entitled to vote only by post. 
• Voters under preventive detention can also vote only by post.
• Special voters such as the President of India, Vice President, Governors, Union Cabinet ministers, Speaker of the House and government officers on poll duty also have the option to vote by post.
• Absentee voters: These are voters employed in essential services and unable to cast their vote due to their service conditions. Currently, these officials of the Delhi Metro Rail Corporation, Northern Railway (Passenger and Freight) Services and media persons .

How are votes recorded by post?

• Postal ballot papers for members of the Armed Forces are sent through their record offices.
• For members of the armed police force of a state (serving outside the state), government employees posted outside India and their spouses, the ballot paper can be sent through post or electronically.
• For remaining categories ballot papers can be delivered personally or through the post.
• The Returning Officer is supposed to print ballot papers within 24 hours of the last date of nomination withdrawal and dispatch them within a day.
• This is done so that the ballot papers reach the concerned voter well before the polling date and she has enough time to send it back before the counting day.

Why in News?

• COVID-19 patients and those quarantined in Kerala can exercise their franchise through postal votes in the forthcoming elections to local bodies. 
• The decision was based on the proposal of the State Election Commission to the government to allow postal ballots or proxy votes for COVID-19 patients and those in quarantine. 

Reference:

1. https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/kerala/kerala-promulgates-ordinance-to-allow-covid-19-patients-vote-through-postal-ballots/article32752280.ece