Sr Citizen Casts First Vote as Vote from Home Exercise Gets Underway in Telangana

Hyderabad: First vote was polled in Hyderabad today for the November 30 Assembly elections in Telangana.  Availing the home voting facility, 91-year-old Annapurna Chunduri exercised her franchise in the Khairatabad Assembly constituency. She cast her vote in the presence of polling staff and representatives of political parties while maintaining utmost secrecy.

Recently, the Election Commission of India introduced the home voting facility for senior citizens aged 80 and above and persons with disabilities (PwD) in assembly elections. This is the first time the Election Commission has introduced this arrangement for the elderly voters and persons with more than 40 percent or more disability in the state. 

The home voting process will run from November 21 to November 27 in all 119 assembly segments across Telangana. The eligible voters will cast their ballots in Nagakurnool and Kollapur segments on November 21 and 22 while the home-polling will be conducted in Achampet constituency on November 23 and 25. 

The initiative was first introduced during Karnataka elections earlier this year. Eligible voters need to apply to the returning officer (RO) through Form 12-D. The voting process will be videographed and the footage will be submitted to the election officials. 

Also Read: CM YS Jagan Releases Rs. 161 cr Aid for ONGC-affected Fishermen