COVID patients, quarantined people can apply for postal vote directly

Thiruvananthapuram: COVID patients and those in quarantine can apply for special postal vote directly too. They have to apply via post. People who are outside Kerala also can apply for this facility. A list of the people stuck outside the state will be handed over to the respective Collectors. When they apply, the ballot will be made available via post.

Those apply directly should also include COVID certificate. The postal charge of postal vote will be borne by the Election Commission. Speed post facility will be available. Certificate issued by doctors of PHC or CHC can be used. The polling officers will be in charge of attestation.

Though there are three votes in the three-tier panchayat polls, only one application is needed when officials reach houses from Wednesday onwards to cast special postal votes. However, three separate affidavits are required as the votes are counted on three different tables.

No indelible ink will be smeared on the finger of people casting postal votes. The ink will be smeared if the COVID patients who reach the booths request for it.

The COVID patients who are not casting postal votes should reach the polling booth wearing PPE kit. If the agents asked to remove the face mask or shield to identify the person, they have to remove the same. This is applicable for people wearing masks too.

People casting postal votes can send the cover containing ballot and affidavits to the counting centre prior to counting, if they did not hand over the same to polling officer directly.

Facilities will be arranged at hospitals and quarantine centres to cast postal vote confidentially.

Those who come directly to booth should reach before 6 pm. They can vote after other voters in the queue cast vote.

‘X’ mark and tick mark should be used to indicate the vote in postal ballot. If the vote is not properly marked, the vote will be invalid, said Election Commissioner V Bhasakaran.