India's Election Commission Announces Postal Voting Arrangements for Government Officials

In preparation for the upcoming elections in India on November 20, the country's election commission has announced arrangements that will allow government officials, including police personnel and army personnel who are serving on poll duty, to cast their votes without having to physically visit their polling stations.

According to reports, postal voting will be available to this select group of individuals, allowing them to submit their ballot papers and return them by post. This facility is expected to enable these government officials to vote safely from the safety of their official residences or offices.

The postal balloting process will also take precedence over traditional counting on election day, ensuring that the voices of those in service are heard.

Meanwhile, in Mumbai specifically, the police have issued guidelines for polling station premises ahead of the polls. Notably, these guidelines strictly prohibit individuals without prior authorization from using mobile phones or other wireless devices within a 100-metre perimeter of each polling station and also ban their use within the stations themselves.

These directives are meant to prevent any untoward incident that could compromise the delicate process of voting, as stipulated in Section 130 of the Representation of People Act of 1951.