First Vote Had Been Cast In Telangana Elections

First Vote had been cast in Telangana Elections. In a groundbreaking development, the Election Commission of India has ushered in a transformative era by introducing a home voting facility in Telangana, specifically tailored for senior citizens and persons with disabilities, just in time for the upcoming elections scheduled for November 30.

This significant step towards inclusivity witnessed its inaugural implementation in the Khairatabad constituency, where the pioneering 91-year-old Annapurna Chunduri exercised her voting rights from the comfort of her home. A team comprising election officers and police officials seamlessly collected her postal ballot, marking a historic moment in the electoral process.

Designed to address the challenges faced by individuals, especially senior citizens and those with disabilities, in reaching traditional polling stations, this innovative home voting initiative is set to unfold from November 21 to at least November 27 across all 119 assembly constituencies. Telangana is thus witnessing the introduction of this service for the first time, marking a significant leap in electoral accessibility.

The Election Commission of India, in its notification for Assembly polls across four Indian states – Telangana, Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, and Rajasthan – explicitly outlined the availability of postal ballot facilities for senior citizens (aged 80 and above) and electors with a disability of 40 percent or more.

This progressive move by the Election Commission ensures that citizens who fall within these categories can exercise their democratic rights conveniently and securely through the home voting facility or the postal ballot facility. As the nation gears up for the upcoming elections, this initiative reflects a commitment to fostering an inclusive electoral process, where every eligible voter, regardless of physical constraints, can actively participate in shaping the democratic landscape.