ECI: postal ballot for 85+ and PwD electors, essential-service and service voters in Bihar Assembly election 2025
On 8 October 2025 the Election Commission said Bihar electors above 85 and those with benchmark disabilities can vote by postal ballot from home using Form 12D, under Section 60(c) of the Representation of the People Act, 1951.
Summary
On 8 October 2025 the Election Commission of India (ECI) set out postal-ballot facilities for the Bihar Assembly general election, whose schedule (with bye-elections to 8 Assembly constituencies in 6 states and the UT of Jammu & Kashmir) was announced on 6 October 2025. Under Section 60(c) of the Representation of the People Act, 1951, electors above 85 years and electors with benchmark disabilities may vote by postal ballot: they submit Form 12D to the Returning Officer through their BLO within 5 days of the election notification, and polling teams collect their votes at home. Absentee voters on essential services on poll day — such as fire, health, electricity, traffic, ambulance, aviation and long-distance government road transport — can apply through their department's nodal officer, and media persons authorised by the ECI for poll-day coverage are included in this category. Service voters receive ballots electronically through the Electronically Transmitted Postal Ballot System (ETPBS) and do not bear postal costs.
Key facts
- Legal basis
- Section 60(c), Representation of the People Act, 1951
- Home voting
- 85+ and benchmark-disability electors — Form 12D via BLO within 5 days of notification
- Essential services
- Apply via departmental nodal officer; ECI-authorised media included
- Service voters
- Electronically Transmitted Postal Ballot System (ETPBS); no postal cost
- Schedule
- Announced 6 Oct 2025 with bye-polls to 8 ACs in 6 states + J&K
Practice MCQs 2 questions
Which form do electors above 85 years and electors with benchmark disabilities use to opt for postal ballot in the Bihar Assembly election 2025?
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Correct answer: C — Form 12D
PIB (ECI): such electors can avail the facility using Form 12D, submitted to the Returning Officer through their BLO within 5 days of the notification.
Consider the following statements regarding postal ballots in the Bihar Assembly election 2025: 1. The facility for electors above 85 years and those with benchmark disabilities is notified under Section 60(c) of the Representation of the People Act, 1951. 2. Service voters receiving ballots through ETPBS must bear the cost of postal services. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: A — 1 only
Only 1 is correct. PIB (ECI): the Commission notified the facility as per Section 60(c) of the RP Act, 1951; service voters are not required to bear the cost of postal services.