Home voting commences in Baramulla & Bandipora
BARAMULLA: The ‘Vote from Home’ facility for the voters aged 85 years plus (AVSC) and Persons with Disabilities (AVPD) in Baramulla district commenced on Tuesday, 14th May with 449 registered elderly and PwD electors of the district exercising their right to vote from within the confines of their homes.
A total of 155 elderly residents above 85 years of age and 294 PwD voters with over 40% locomotive disabilities from across all the seven assembly segments of the district have opted for the Postal Ballot facility from home.
During the home voting process which will continue till the 16th of May, the poll parties along with voting facilities are being dispatched to the house of eligible voters at the addresses mentioned on their already filled 12D forms, to collect their votes.
A total of 39 dedicated teams have been constituted in the district, with each team composed of two polling officials, Micro Observer, Videographer and Security personnel, collecting votes of eligible voters under the prescribed guidelines of ECI. Besides, the Political Parties and Contesting Candidates have also been informed to appoint their representatives to watch the process.
The teams are also visiting the Border villages of 09-Uri AC viz. Dudran, Chotali, Gager Hill, Maidanan, Darakunjan and Tough Terrains of upper Belt of Rafiabad AC to facilitate all such AVPD and AVSC voters to exercise their right to franchise.
District Election Officer, Baramulla, Minga Sherpa said that meticulous arrangements have been made by the district administration to facilitate the eligible voters to exercise their democratic right through the postal ballot facility.
Meanwhile, home voting officially commenced across 03 ACs of District Bandipora, with great fervour and enthusiasm.
The District Election Officer (DEO) Bandipora, Shakeel ul Rehman, along with ARO 15- Bandipora Shabir Ahmad Wani, flagged off Home Voting teams from Mini Secretariat Bandipora besides SDM Sumbal Aamir Choudhary flagged off Home Voting teams from Irrigation Colony, Sumbal.
Speaking during the flag-off ceremony, the DEO said that home voting is meant to bring ballots directly to the doorsteps of voters regardless of their mobility or logistical challenges.
He said through meticulous planning and dedication to democratic principles, the District Administration Bandipora, as per the directives of ECI, is extending the home-voting facility to 262 voters aged above 85 years and PwD (specially-abled) for three days i.e 14th, 15th and 16th May 2024.
Residents are embracing this initiative, which aims to ensure that every eligible citizen has the opportunity to participate in the electoral process.
A total of 262 registered senior citizens (above 85 years) and persons with a special ability (PWD) electors from three assembly segments of District Bandipora viz, 14-Sonawari, 15-Bandipora and 16-Gurez are exercising their right to vote from their homes through the first of its kind home voting facility.
Pertinent to mention that all 03 ACs of District Bandipora are going for polls on May 20th during the 5th phase of Lok Sabha Elections-2024.
The DEO urged eligible voters to exercise their right to vote and participate actively in shaping the future of our nation.
A total of 21 dedicated teams have been constituted in the district, each team comprises polling officials, Micro Observers, videographers and Security personnel who will collect the votes of eligible voters under the prescribed guidelines of the Election Commission of India.
The home voting initiative received accolades from citizens in Bandipora who have availed the said facility to cast their votes from the comfort of their homes. They have expressed happiness and applauded the efforts of ECI by bringing the ballot to their doorstep.
They said this initiative ensures that every eligible voter has the opportunity to exercise their democratic right without barriers.
Kashmir Images is an English language daily newspaper published from Srinagar (J&K), India. The newspaper is one of the largest circulated English dailies of Kashmir and its hard copies reach every nook and corner of Kashmir Valley besides Jammu and Ladakh region.
