Municipal Elections: Facility of home voting extended to senior citizens and PwDs

<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><b><span lang="EN-IN" style="font-family:&quot;Bookman Old Style&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">GANGTOK, (IPR):</span></b><span lang="EN-IN" style="font-family:&quot;Bookman Old Style&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">The Office of the Municipal Returning Officer-cum-District Collector, Gangtok, has informed that the facility of home voting through postal ballot will be made available for eligible electors in the forthcoming Municipal Elections 2026, in accordance with guidelines issued by the State Election Commission, Sikkim.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span lang="EN-IN" style="font-family:&quot;Bookman Old Style&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">The initiative aims to ensure inclusive and accessible participation in the electoral process, particularly for electors who are unable to visit polling stations.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span lang="EN-IN" style="font-family:&quot;Bookman Old Style&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">The facility will be available to senior citizens aged 85 years and above, persons with disabilities having 40 percent or more benchmark disability and any other category as may be notified by the State Election Commission. The facility is optional, and eligible electors may choose to cast their vote at polling stations if they prefer.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span lang="EN-IN" style="font-family:&quot;Bookman Old Style&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">Eligible voters intending to avail the home voting facility are required to submit the prescribed Form-28 within five days from the date of notification of the election. Assistance for obtaining and submitting the form can be sought from the respective Booth Level Officers (BLOs).<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span lang="EN-IN" style="font-family:&quot;Bookman Old Style&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">Under the home voting process, designated polling teams will visit the residence of approved electors to facilitate voting through postal ballot, ensuring complete secrecy.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span lang="EN-IN" style="font-family:&quot;Bookman Old Style&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">The process will be conducted with due verification and transparency, including videography, without compromising the confidentiality of the vote.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span lang="EN-IN" style="font-family:&quot;Bookman Old Style&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">Prior intimation regarding the visit will be provided to electors. Assistance, where required, will be extended to voters with infirmities in accordance with prescribed rules. Authorities have also assured secure handling and custody of postal ballots, with the entire process to be completed at least one day prior to the date of poll.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span lang="EN-IN" style="font-family:&quot;Bookman Old Style&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">To ensure transparency, candidates or their authorized representatives will be permitted to observe the process, which will be carried out strictly in adherence to established guidelines to maintain fairness and integrity.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span lang="EN-IN" style="font-family:&quot;Bookman Old Style&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">The Office of the Municipal Returning Officer-cum-District Collector, Gangtokhas encouraged all eligible electors to avail the facility to exercise their democratic right in a convenient and safe manner.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p> </p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span lang="EN-IN" style="font-family:&quot;Bookman Old Style&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">For further information, electors may contact their respective BLOs.<o:p></o:p></span></p>

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