Digital system makes voting easier for defence voters

JAIPUR: In a bid to make voting easier for the service voters in the state, Rajasthan would be using electronically transmitted postal ballot system (

ETPBS

) to ensure easy-to-use online system of voting for defence personnel. Even as the system was used during the assembly elections in the state, this will be used for the first time during

Lok Sabha elections

in Rajasthan.

The class of electors who are eligible for ETPBS are service voters, other than those who opt for proxy voting (classified service voters); wife of a service voter who ordinarily resides with him and overseas voters.

According to the Election Commission (ECI), this system enables the entitled service voters to cast their vote using an electronically received postal ballot from anywhere outside their constituency. The voters who make such a choice will be entitled for postal ballot delivered through electronic media for a particular election. The developed system is implemented in line with the existing postal ballot system.

“Postal ballot will be transmitted through electronic means to the voters. It enables the voters to cast their vote on an electronically received postal ballot from their preferred location, which is outside their originally assigned voting constituency. This system is an easier option of facilitating voting by the electors as the time constraint for dispatch of postal ballot has been addressed using this system,” the ECI states.

The system is a fully secured, having two layers of security. Secrecy is maintained through the use of OTP and PIN and no duplication of casted ETPB is possible due to the unique QR code.