Senior Citizen Postal Voting

• 07 Mar 2024

Government recently amended Conduct of Election Rules to raise the minimum age for senior citizen postal voting to 85.

• 97-98% of seniors aged above 80 opt for in-person voting over postal ballot facility.
• Postal ballot extended to seniors, persons with disability, poll officers, and Covid-positive individuals since 2020.
• Review finds only 2-3% of 80-plus voters choose postal ballots; majority prefer voting at polling stations.
• Around 1.75 crore senior citizens above 80 years, with 98 lakh aged 80-85 years.
• Raising eligibility age reduces number of seniors receiving postal ballots to 77 lakh.
• Senior citizens' enthusiasm for physical voting sets example for younger generations.
• Many seniors view voting as a reason to leave home, often accompanied by family members.