Postal Ballot: How to Apply for Vote by Post

What is a Postal Ballot?

A postal ballot (also called vote by post) allows eligible voters to cast their vote without physically visiting a polling booth. The voter receives a ballot paper by post, marks their choice, and sends it back to the Returning Officer.

This facility is provided by the Election Commission of India (ECI) to ensure that voters who cannot visit polling booths due to duty, age, disability, or other valid reasons can still participate in elections.

Who is Eligible for Postal Ballot?

1. Service Voters

• Members of the Armed Forces (Army, Navy, Air Force)
• Central Armed Police Forces (CRPF, BSF, CISF, ITBP, SSB, etc.)
• Personnel of Central/State Government posted outside their constituency
• Members of forces covered under the Army Act, Navy Act, or Air Force Act

2. Senior Citizens (80 Years and Above)

• Voters aged 80 years or above as on the qualifying date
• Must be registered voters in the constituency
• Introduced to help elderly voters who may have difficulty travelling to polling booths

3. Persons with Disabilities (PwD)

• Voters with benchmark disability (40% or more) as defined under the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act, 2016
• Must be registered voters
• Can also choose to vote at the polling booth with assistance

4. Voters on Election Duty

• Polling officers, presiding officers, and other election staff on duty
• Government employees deployed for election-related work outside their constituency

5. Voters in Preventive Detention

• Persons under preventive detention who are registered voters

6. Essential Service Workers (Special Cases)

• During COVID-19, the ECI expanded postal ballot eligibility to include voters above 65 years and those affected by COVID restrictions (this was election-specific and may not apply permanently)

How to Apply for Postal Ballot

For Service Voters

Step 1: Register as Service Voter

1. Fill Form 2 (for enrolment as service voter) or Form 2A (for proxy voter appointment)
2. Submit through your Commanding Officer or Unit Head
3. The form is forwarded to the Electoral Registration Officer (ERO) of your constituency

Step 2: Receive Postal Ballot

1. Before every election, the Returning Officer sends a postal ballot paper to your unit/address
2. The ballot includes the list of candidates and a declaration form

Step 3: Mark Your Vote

1. Mark your preferred candidate on the ballot paper using the provided marking instrument
2. Fill the declaration form with your details
3. Have it attested by your Commanding Officer (or an officer of Gazetted rank)

Step 4: Send Back

1. Place the marked ballot in the inner envelope (secrecy envelope)
2. Place the inner envelope and declaration form in the outer envelope
3. Post it to the Returning Officer before the counting date

For Senior Citizens (80+) and PwD

Step 1: Fill Form 12D

1. Obtain Form 12D from:
   • The Returning Officer's office
   • The Booth Level Officer (BLO) visiting your home
   • Download from https://voters.eci.gov.in
2. Fill in your details:
   • EPIC (Voter ID) number
   • Constituency and polling booth details
   • Reason for requesting postal ballot (age/disability)

Step 2: Submit Form 12D

1. Submit the form to the Returning Officer of your constituency
2. Deadline: Must be submitted within the period specified in the election notification (typically before the last date for filing nominations or as notified)
3. You can submit through the BLO or by post

Step 3: Home Visit by Polling Team

1. After your application is approved, a polling team visits your residence
2. The team includes a Polling Officer and representatives from political parties (as observers)
3. They carry the ballot paper, secrecy envelope, and declaration form

Step 4: Cast Your Vote at Home

1. The polling team provides you with the ballot paper
2. Mark your vote in secrecy (the team ensures privacy)
3. Place the ballot in the secrecy envelope
4. Sign/thumbprint the declaration form
5. Hand over the sealed envelope to the polling team

Timeline for Postal Ballot Process

How Postal Ballots Are Counted

1. Postal ballots are counted first, before EVM votes
2. Counting happens on the official counting day at the counting centre
3. Each postal ballot is opened in the presence of counting agents from all parties
4. Invalid ballots (unsigned, unsigned declaration, received late) are rejected
5. Postal ballot results are announced before EVM rounds begin

Documents Required

• Voter ID Card (EPIC) — for identity verification
• Form 12D — for senior citizens and PwD
• Form 2/2A — for service voter registration
• Disability certificate — for PwD category (issued by government hospital)
• Age proof — for senior citizen category (Aadhaar, birth certificate)

Important Tips

1. Apply early — Submit Form 12D as soon as the election is notified; late applications may be rejected
2. Keep your voter ID updated — Ensure your address and details are correct on the electoral roll. See our voter ID guide for help
3. Service voters should coordinate with unit — Your Commanding Officer plays a key role in the process
4. Postal ballots are counted first — They are counted before EVM votes on counting day
5. Your vote is secret — The polling team visiting your home ensures privacy during voting

FAQs

Q1: Can any voter apply for a postal ballot?

No. Postal ballot is available only to specific categories: service voters, senior citizens aged 80+, persons with disabilities, election duty staff, and those in preventive detention.

Q2: What is Form 12D?

Form 12D is the application form used by senior citizens (80+) and PwD voters to request a postal ballot. It must be submitted to the Returning Officer of your constituency.

Q3: Can I vote at the polling booth if I applied for a postal ballot?

If you have already been issued a postal ballot, you generally cannot vote at the polling booth. However, if the postal ballot was not dispatched, you may be allowed to vote in person — check with your local election office.

Q4: When are postal ballots counted?

Postal ballots are counted first on counting day, before EVM votes are tabulated. This is mandated by ECI guidelines.

Q5: What happens if my postal ballot reaches late?

If your postal ballot reaches the Returning Officer after the prescribed deadline, it will be rejected and not counted. Ensure timely submission.

Q6: Is Electronically Transmitted Postal Ballot System (ETPBS) available?

Yes, the ECI has introduced ETPBS for service voters. The ballot paper is sent electronically, and the voter prints, marks, and sends it back by post. This speeds up the process significantly.

Q7: Can NRIs vote through postal ballot?

As of 2026, NRIs can register as overseas voters but must vote in person at the polling booth. There have been proposals to extend postal ballot or e-voting to NRIs, but these are not yet implemented for general elections.

Disclaimer: CitizenNest is an independent platform and is not affiliated with the Election Commission of India or any government body. Information is compiled from official ECI sources for citizen awareness. Always verify details on eci.gov.in.