ECI sets out postal ballot facility for 85+ voters, PwDs, essential services staff and service voters in 2026 Assembly polls
The Election Commission said on 19 March 2026 that electors above 85 and flagged Persons with Disabilities can vote by postal ballot in the Assembly elections of Assam, Kerala, Puducherry, Tamil Nadu and West Bengal by submitting Form 12D within 5 days of notification.
Summary
The Election Commission of India (ECI) on 19 March 2026 explained the postal ballot facility for the Assembly elections in Assam, Kerala, Puducherry, Tamil Nadu and West Bengal, announced on 15 March 2026. Under Section 60(c) of the Representation of the People Act, 1951, electors above 85 and Persons with Disabilities flagged in the rolls may vote by postal ballot, applying in Form 12D through their BLO within 5 days of notification, with polling teams collecting votes at home. Voters on essential services on poll day, including ECI-authorised media persons, can apply through their department's nodal officer, voters on election duty vote at facilitation centres, and service voters receive ballots electronically.
Key facts
- Legal basis
- Section 60(c), Representation of the People Act, 1951
- Who
- Electors above 85; PwDs flagged in rolls
- How
- Form 12D via BLO within 5 days of notification; votes collected at home
- Essential services
- Fire, health, electricity, traffic, ambulance, aviation etc.; ECI-authorised media included
- Election duty
- Vote at facilitation centre
- States
- Assam, Kerala, Puducherry, Tamil Nadu, West Bengal
Practice MCQs 2 questions
Electors above 85 and flagged PwDs who want to vote by postal ballot in the 2026 Assembly elections must apply using:
Show answer
Correct answer: A — Form 12D
Such electors can avail the facility using Form 12D, submitted to the Returning Officer through their BLO within 5 days of notification.
Consider the following about the postal ballot facility for the 2026 Assembly elections: 1. Form 12D can be submitted up to 15 days after the notification of election. 2. The facility for electors above 85 and PwDs flows from Section 60(c) of the Representation of the People Act, 1951. Which of the above is/are correct?
Show answer
Correct answer: B — 2 only
Statement 1 is wrong: Form 12D must be submitted within 5 days of notification. Statement 2 is correct.