Electors under preventive detention can vote through postal ballot: EC

NEW DELHI: The Election Commission today issued instructions to Chief Electoral Officers of poll-bound states of Chhattisgarh, Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, Delhi and Mizoram for allowing voting rights through postal ballots to all electors subjected to preventive detention.

"As per Rule 18 of Conduct of Elections Rules, 1961, the electors under preventive detention are entitled to cast their votes by post.

"Rule 21(1) of Conduct of Elections Rules, 1961, provides that the appropriate government shall intimate to Returning Officers, the names of the electors subjected to preventive detention with their address, electoral roll numbers and places of detention, within 15 days of calling an election.

"This will enable the Returning Officers to send postal ballot papers to such electors to facilitate them to exercise their franchise at the election," the EC said.

The poll body has since asked the CEOs of poll-bound states to issue instructions to concerned authorities to ensure that provisions of Rule 21 (1) of the Conduct of Elections Rules, 1961, are strictly complied with at the current general elections.

"There is no ground for any grievance on account of non- compliance of the provisions of the said Rule," the EC said.

While elections in Chhattisgarh will be held on November 11 and 19, in Madhya Pradesh polls will be held on November 25 and in Rajasthan on December 1. Elections in Delhi and Mizoram will be held on December 4. Counting in all states will be held on December 8.