Bihar Assembly Elections: EC Introduces Postal Ballot Facility for Senior Citizens, PwD, and Service Voters

New Delhi, October 8, 2025: The Election Commission of India (ECI) has announced that postal ballot voting will be available for senior citizens, persons with disabilities (PwD), and service voters in the upcoming Bihar Legislative Assembly elections. This facility is also extended to bye-elections in eight Assembly constituencies across six states and the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir. Under Section 60(c) of the Representation of the People Act, 1951, voters aged 85 and above, as well as those with benchmark disabilities, can cast their vote through postal ballot. Eligible voters must submit Form 12D to the Returning Officer via their Booth Level Officer (BLO) within five days of the election notification. Designated polling teams will then visit their homes to collect ballots, ensuring that these voters can participate in the elections without leaving their residences. The ECI has also extended postal ballot facilities to voters engaged in essential services on polling day. This includes personnel in fire services, healthcare, electricity supply, traffic management, ambulance services, aviation, and long-distance government road transport. Eligible voters from these sectors can apply for postal ballots through a designated nodal officer in their respective departments. Media personnel authorized to cover polling day are also included as absentee voters on essential duty. Service voters will receive postal ballots electronically through the Electronically Transmitted Postal Ballot System (ETPBS) once the final list of contesting candidates is published. Importantly, these voters will not need to pay for postal delivery. The Election Commission has instructed Returning Officers and District Election Officers to brief political parties and contesting candidates about the postal ballot process to ensure smooth implementation. This measure aims to make the voting process more inclusive and accessible, especially for those who cannot be physically present at polling stations due to age, disability, or work obligations. The Bihar Assembly elections are scheduled to be held in two phases, on November 6 and November 11, with vote counting planned for November 14. By providing postal ballot facilities, the EC seeks to ensure that all eligible voters, including seniors, PwD, and essential service personnel, can exercise their democratic rights without difficulty. This step highlights the Commission’s commitment to accessibility and inclusion in the electoral process. By facilitating postal voting, the ECI ensures that vulnerable and essential service populations can participate fully in shaping the governance of Bihar. The initiative is part of a broader effort to modernize and streamline election procedures across India, making democracy more participatory and convenient for every citizen. The postal ballot provision is expected to increase voter participation among senior citizens, PwD, and service voters, making the upcoming Bihar elections more representative and inclusive. Bihar Elections: Postal Ballot Facility for Seniors, PwD, and Service Voters The Election Commission of India is allowing senior citizens, persons with disabilities, and service voters to cast their votes via postal ballot in the upcoming Bihar Assembly elections. Citizens aged 85 and above and voters with benchmark disabilities can apply through Form 12D to have polling teams collect their ballots at home. Service voters in essential sectors like healthcare, fire services, electricity, traffic management, and transport will also receive postal ballots. Media personnel on duty are included. This ensures safe and accessible voting for all eligible voters, ahead of the November polls.