<p>Several officers have always asserted that they haven't been able to cast their vote during elections, citing several reasons like - being on poll duty, not granted leave to vote or being unaware about the postal ballot system.</p><p>According to a <a href="https://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/Delhi/for-officers-on-poll-duty-voting-is-another-challenge/article26562995.ece" rel="nofollow">report</a> by <em>The Hindu</em>, earlier the <a href="https://www.deccanherald.com/tags/election-commission">Election Commission</a> (EC) has brought out a facility for officers who are on poll duty. The officers of polling duty can choose to vote through two methods - Election Duty Certificate (EDC) or voting through postal ballot.</p><p>The methods had been under supervision for more than six years. </p><p>According to the publication, the EC provides a form which has to be filled out the officer on polling duty, following which, they will be getting an EDC. </p><p>The person who gets an EDC is entitled to vote at any polling booth of his constituency and not necessarily at the polling booth where his name is listed.</p><p>The postal ballot method is where the officer on polling duty can fill out a form provided to them, which are then collected and separated according to different constituencies. The constituency-wise segregated forms are then handed over to the Returning Officer (RO) of the respective constituency.</p><p>According to a <a href="https://indianexpress.com/article/india/wont-be-acceptable-situation-if-public-officials-on-poll-duties-deprived-of-their-right-to-vote-bombay-hc-to-eci-8023305/" rel="nofollow">report</a> by <em>The Indian Express</em>, in 2022, the <a href="https://www.deccanherald.com/tags/election-commission-of-india">Election Commission of India</a> (ECI) was asked by the Bombay HC to make sure that officers who are deployed for polling duties should not be deprived from casting their votes.</p>.Lok Sabha elections 2024 | Infographic: A look at voter turnout over the years .<p>According to the publication, the court also added, "The right to vote is a vital right of every citizen and if those officers who assist ECI in holding peaceful polls are themselves deprived, that would indeed not be a very acceptable situation."</p><p>According to a <a href="https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/polling-staff-now-required-to-cast-vote-at-facilitation-centre-at-place-of-duty/articleshow/103614691.cms" rel="nofollow">report</a> by <em>Times of India</em>, the <a href="https://www.deccanherald.com/tags/law-ministry">Ministry of Law</a> amended the Conduct of Election Rules, 1961, following a proposal by the EC, and made it obligatory for the officers and staff who are polling duty to vote.</p><p>It was made mandatory for all the officials including police personnel to vote at a facilitation centres which have been organised for them at the same place of their duty.</p><p>With this amendment, a stop had been put to the previous method of postal ballot. </p>
<p>Several officers have always asserted that they haven't been able to cast their vote during elections, citing several reasons like - being on poll duty, not granted leave to vote or being unaware about the postal ballot system.</p><p>According to a <a href="https://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/Delhi/for-officers-on-poll-duty-voting-is-another-challenge/article26562995.ece" rel="nofollow">report</a> by <em>The Hindu</em>, earlier the <a href="https://www.deccanherald.com/tags/election-commission">Election Commission</a> (EC) has brought out a facility for officers who are on poll duty. The officers of polling duty can choose to vote through two methods - Election Duty Certificate (EDC) or voting through postal ballot.</p><p>The methods had been under supervision for more than six years. </p><p>According to the publication, the EC provides a form which has to be filled out the officer on polling duty, following which, they will be getting an EDC. </p><p>The person who gets an EDC is entitled to vote at any polling booth of his constituency and not necessarily at the polling booth where his name is listed.</p><p>The postal ballot method is where the officer on polling duty can fill out a form provided to them, which are then collected and separated according to different constituencies. The constituency-wise segregated forms are then handed over to the Returning Officer (RO) of the respective constituency.</p><p>According to a <a href="https://indianexpress.com/article/india/wont-be-acceptable-situation-if-public-officials-on-poll-duties-deprived-of-their-right-to-vote-bombay-hc-to-eci-8023305/" rel="nofollow">report</a> by <em>The Indian Express</em>, in 2022, the <a href="https://www.deccanherald.com/tags/election-commission-of-india">Election Commission of India</a> (ECI) was asked by the Bombay HC to make sure that officers who are deployed for polling duties should not be deprived from casting their votes.</p>.Lok Sabha elections 2024 | Infographic: A look at voter turnout over the years .<p>According to the publication, the court also added, "The right to vote is a vital right of every citizen and if those officers who assist ECI in holding peaceful polls are themselves deprived, that would indeed not be a very acceptable situation."</p><p>According to a <a href="https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/polling-staff-now-required-to-cast-vote-at-facilitation-centre-at-place-of-duty/articleshow/103614691.cms" rel="nofollow">report</a> by <em>Times of India</em>, the <a href="https://www.deccanherald.com/tags/law-ministry">Ministry of Law</a> amended the Conduct of Election Rules, 1961, following a proposal by the EC, and made it obligatory for the officers and staff who are polling duty to vote.</p><p>It was made mandatory for all the officials including police personnel to vote at a facilitation centres which have been organised for them at the same place of their duty.</p><p>With this amendment, a stop had been put to the previous method of postal ballot. </p>