EC has no provision for sick, overseas Goans to vote

PANAJI

: The election commission has no provision for electors undergoing treatment in hospitals in the state or outside, to vote in the 17th

Lok Sabha

polls.


“As per election commission guidelines, every elector has to come to the polling booth and vote. There are no specific guidelines in this regard. As soon as we receive guidelines from the election commission we will implement them,” nodal officer Durga Prasad said.

Non-resident Goans will also not be permitted to vote or send in any postal votes, North Goa collector R Menaka said. She told reporters that only those deputed to Indian missions abroad and registered as voters can vote as overseas electors.

Those working in other states too, will have to physically come down to the state to vote on April 23.

Registered electors who are on polling duty on that day, and who cannot physically got to their polling station, can opt for postal ballots. Those on election duty within the same constituency are given an election duty certificate by which they can vote at the polling station where they are on duty, Meneka said .

“Their names should have been there on the voter’s list and they should have been official appointed on poll duty. We have started issuing them forms, which they will have to submit along with voter ID card. On day of distribution of polling material there will be a facilitation centre where they can cast their vote,” Menaka said.

The election office hasn’t decided on any incentives for first time voters this

Lok Sabha elections

. During the 2017 state assembly polls, first time women voters were gifted teddy bears while men were given pens.

Vulnerability mapping of sensitive polling booths is on, the North Goa collector said, adding that the requirement of police force at these booths will be decided subsequently.