New Delhi: “I am 33 and I cast my first vote this year,” says Sai Kaustuv.

All these years, Sai did not vote because he could not vote. The Brittle Bone disorder has rendered 90 per cent of his body dysfunctional.

But the 2024 Lok Sabha elections are different. Beginning with this election, the elderly and persons with disabilities have an option to vote from home.

Voters should be 85 years or older to qualify for the elderly category. Persons with disabilities include anyone with a 40 per cent or more disability.

Also Read: Visually Impaired Man First In Kashmir Valley To Use Election Commission’s Home Voting Facility

Process For Voting from Home:

1. Fill form 12D – a letter to the Assistant Returning Officer stating that the person is not in a position to physically cast her or his vote. The form can be downloaded from the ECI website or collected from the office of the representative district officer of a constituency.
2. Along with the application, submit a copy of the benchmark disability certificate.
3. The form has to be submitted within five days of notification of the polling date. The Booth Level Officer (BLO) is responsible for retrieving Form 12D from the elector’s place of residence.
4. A dedicated team of polling officials, security officials and a videographer will visit the voter’s residence to collect their votes.
5. Voters are notified via SMS or post, ahead of time of the planned visit, allowing them to be prepared to exercise their right to vote.
6. The home voting option will be attempted twice. If the voter is not available on both days, they will be considered ineligible for voting.

India has more than 90 lakh people with disabilities and over 81 lakh senior citizens (aged 85 and above) as registered voters. The initiative marks a significant stride towards ensuring inclusivity and accessibility of voters.

Watch: Accessible Elections In Delhi: Inside A Model Booth For Persons With Disabilities