The Election Commission of India has directed to enable elderly, persons with disabilities, service voters, and those on election duty to vote via postal ballots in the upcoming Assembly elections in four states and one Union Territory. Electors above 85 years and PwDs listed in electoral rolls can use postal ballots as per the Representation of the People Act, 1951. The postal ballots must reach Returning Officers by 8 a.m. on the vote counting day of May 4, 2026.
Voters falling under these categories can utilize this option by submitting Form-12 D to the Returning Officers through their booth level officer within five days of election notification. Polling teams will collect their votes at their residences as per schedules provided by the Returning Officers. Those on essential services during polling can also apply for postal ballots through their department’s nodal officer.
The postal ballot facility is extended to essential services personnel like fire services, health, electricity, traffic, ambulance services, aviation, and long-distance Government Road Transport Corporations. Media personnel authorized by the Election Commission for election day coverage are also eligible for postal voting. Voters on election duty will receive their postal ballots, cast their votes, and return them at facilitation centers to ensure secrecy.
Service voters will receive their postal ballots electronically through the Electronically Transmitted Postal Ballot System once the list of candidates is finalized. Service voters are not required to cover postal service costs. The Election Commission has instructed Returning Officers to inform political parties and candidates about these provisions.
