Postal ballot-eligible age raised from 80 to 85 : Law Ministry Gazette

On Friday, the government made changes to electoral regulations, allowing only citizens aged above 85 years to avail of the postal ballot facility during elections. Previously, only individuals aged above 80 years were eligible for this provision.

 

This amendment comes shortly before the anticipated announcement of the schedule for the Lok Sabha and four state Assembly elections.

 

According to the latest voters' list released by the Election Commission (EC), there are approximately 1.85 crore voters aged above 80 years, with around 2.38 lakh voters categorized as "centenarians" (aged 100 years and above).

 

A gazette notification issued by the law ministry on Friday outlined the amendments to the Conduct of Election Rules, 1961, extending the postal ballot facility to those aged above 85 years.

 

This adjustment builds upon a previous amendment by the EC, which granted the postal ballot privilege to individuals above 80 years of age.