Tarun Karthick
Port Blair, 13 April 2024
In adherence to the directives issued by the Election Commission of India, the Andaman and Nicobar Islands Parliamentary Constituency initiated special poll procedures on April 12, for voting by postal ballot for certain categories of citizens i.e. absentee voters including senior citizens above 85 years of age, and persons with disabilities exceeding 40%.
The District Election Officers of the three districts of the A & N Islands undertook extensive measures to reach all eligible voters falling under these special categories. A total of 436 individuals across the three districts are set to cast their votes through postal ballots via home voting. A meticulously planned schedule for home voting has been put into effect, with Mobile Polling Teams comprising Presiding Officers, Polling Officers, Micro Observers, BLOs, Sector Officers, Police Personnel, and Videographers deployed for the task on April 12 and 13, 2024. An additional day, April 14, 2024, has been reserved in case voters are unavailable during the scheduled visit.
In North and Middle Andaman District, 24 teams were dispatched, with 159 votes cast through postal ballots for absentee voters. Among these, 87 voters belonged to the senior citizen (85+) category, while 72 were PwD voters (with a benchmark disability of 40% and above).
Similarly, in South Andaman District, 27 teams were deployed, resulting in 176 votes cast through postal ballots for absentee voters. Here, 80 voters were classified as senior citizens (85+), and 96 were PwD voters (with a benchmark disability of 40% and above).
In Nicobar District, 5 teams were assigned, facilitating 27 votes cast through postal ballots for absentee voters. Of these, 21 voters were senior citizens (85+), while 6 were PwD voters (with a benchmark disability of 40% and above).
As part of this endeavour, polling teams distributed chocolates and sweets to all special category voters. Notably, a 103-year-old voter from the Billiground area also exercised her voting right from home, serving as an inspiring example for others. This heartening sight is expected to encourage all electors to participate in the upcoming elections on April 19, 2024.
It is emphasised that these Mobile Polling Teams will visit eligible voters as per the schedule on April 13, 2024. Cooperation from all stakeholders is solicited to ensure the success of this unique electoral exercise.