Representational image | Photo: AP
Edappal: In the wake of Covid situation, the local body polls will also witness an increase in the postal ballots. Earlier postal ballots were a factor in Lok Sabha and Assembly elections, but this year the pandemic resulted in postal votes surge.
Apart from those on election duty, Covid patients and those quarantined can cast their votes through posts.
As the postal votes are slated to increase, the political parties are anxious as the winners can be unpredictable.
Usually postal votes are cast by filling up a form and sending by post. But in many places, political parties and trade unions collect the postal votes from employees and deposit it together in returning officers box. Allegations were raised that the party workers open votes and destroy some if not found favourable.
As there is no option to ensure the votes reach the returning officer, these allegations find grounds. There is also no receipt for postal votes, adding to the worries of the political parties.
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