KUPWARA: The process of Home Voting for the Assembly Elections-2024 continued on second day today across all six assembly constituencies of Kupwara District, with home voting teams traversing to remotest and toughest terrains of this frontier district to cover the eligible voters.
This major initiative, specifically, is aimed at enhancing electoral participation among voters aged 85 and older, as well as persons with 40% benchmark disability, as per the provisions set by the Election Commission of India (ECI). This process will continue until September 25, 2024.
To ensure smooth operations in Kupwara district, 45 dedicated home voting teams including polling personnel, micro-observers and videographers have been deployed in six assembly constituencies of the district.
The district administration has identified a total of 750 home voters including 360 elderly (85 plus), and 390 (PwD) voters categorized as AVSC (Absentee Voters in Category of Senior Citizens) and AVPD (Absentee Voters with Disabilities) across different polling stations.
The provision of home voting is a progressive measure aimed at empowering voters who encounter barriers to participating in the electoral process at the polling stations. This upholds the Commission’s motto of ensuring – No voter is left behind.
By giving home voting facilities to elders and PwDs, it is the Commission’s expression of care and respect towards them. Voters who availed the home voting facility at different polling stations of the district have expressed their gratitude and satisfaction for the ECI initiative.
Voting from home takes place with involvement of a full contingent of polling staff and security personnel with secrecy of voting diligently maintained. With this, ECI has taken this decisive step towards facilitating a more equitable and representative democracy, where every citizen’s voice matters, regardless of physical limitations or age.
Meanwhile, Postal ballot voting for government employees of Kupwara district proceeded smoothly, on second day today, reflecting the efficient conduct of the electoral process, with officials of essential service duties seamlessly exercising their voting rights at the Postal Voting Centers established at Karnah, Trehgam, Kupwara, Lolab, Handwara and Langate. The employees stood in queues enthusiastically, to wait for their turn to cast their votes.
The District Election Office Kupwara has ensured that all necessary arrangements were in place for home voters and employees who applied for postal ballots through Form-12.
The DEO Kupwara, Ayushi Sudan has emphasized the administration’s commitment to ensuring inclusivity and transparency..”
