Elections

ECI Clarifies ‘Vote From Home’ Process After Arvind Kejriwal Raises Concerns

🌄 The ECI clarified that the route and process details 🔯would be shared with all candidates in the constituency, allowing them or their authorised representatives to accompany the team.

Getting your Trinity Audio player ready...
Senior citizens vote from home
In this image via @ECISVEEP on X on Jan. 24, 2025, a senior citizen castes her vote for Delhi Assembly elections through the home voting facility꧅ made available for the elderly and people with disabilities, at her residence, in New Delhi. Photo: PTI
info_icon

Hours after Aam❀ Aadmi Party (AAP) chief Arvind Kejriwal raised questions over the presence of BJP representatives during the vote-at-home proไcess, the Election Commission of India (ECI) issued a clarification on Sunday regarding the home voting facility for the upcoming Delhi Assembly elections.

Eligible voters wishing to avail themselves of the home voting service must fill out “Form 12D” and submit it for approval, the ECI stated. Once an application is approved, a polling team, which will include election officials and security personnel, will visit the voter’s home before the offi𓆏cial polling date, which is February 5, 2025. The ECI also clarified that the route and process details would be shared with all candidates in the constituency, allowing them or their authorised representatives to accompany the team.

Delhi Polls: Amit Shah Announces Perks For Gig Workers, Yamuna Development, Job Promises And More | BJP Manifesto

This clarification came a day after Kejriwal posted a video on social media alleging that BJP representatives were a♌ccompanying election officials when they visited an elderly woman’s residence to collect her vote. He questioned why only BJP representatives were present, urging that agents from all political parties should be allowed to join the process or none at all.

The ECI did not directly address Kejriwal’s tweet or name any political party in its statement. However, the Commission reiterated that the home voting initiative is intended to mꦺake the voting process more accessible for senior citizens above 85 years of age and persons with disabilities (PwD).

As of now, 6,447 senior citizens and 1,058 PwD voters in Delhi have applied for the home voting facility. The ECI confirmed that 1,271 senior citizens and 120 PwD voters have already🦩 cast 🌌their votes using this service.

The polling team will provide voters with a ballot paper and oversee the voting process to ensure confidentiality and compliance with ECI gꦰuidelines. The entire process will be recorded on video for transparency.

One key aspect of 🐲the home voting system, emphasised by the ECI, is that voters who opt for this facility will not be allowed to vote at polling stations on election day. Participation in the home voting option is completely voluntary.

Delhi Elections 2025: Arvind Kejriwal Vows To End Unemployment Within 5 Years

In response to the controversy, the office of Delhi’s Chief Electoral Officer (CEO), R. Alice Vaz, reiterated that the home voting initiative is designed to ensure greater participation in the electoral process, particularly for vulnerable groups. She clarified that the process has been extensively covered in the m🏅edia and that the ECI remains committed to conducting free and fair elections.

“Voters who opt for this home voting facility will not be permitted to vote at polling stations on election d𝓰ay, and this option is entirely voluntary,” the CEO’s office sai💮d in its statement. “We urge anyone facing issues to contact the local Returning Officer or the District Election Officer, or call our helpline at 1950.”

CLOSE