Sunday, May 5

“Provide Postal ballots To Police Officials Stationed Outside Their Constituencies”: Sitaram Yechury

Edited by Fazal Rahman Chembulangad
'Provide Postal ballots To Police Officials Stationed Outside Their Constituencies': Demands Sitaram Yechury

The Community Party of India (Marxism) CPIM General Secretary Sitaram Yechury on April 24 wrote to the Election Commission of India (ECI) asking to “provide postal ballots to all those police officials stationed outside their constituencies” during the 2024 Lok Sabha elections. 

Addressing the ECI, the CPM chief drew the Commission‘s attention to the concerns faced by the police officers deployed for election duties in using their voting rights. 

In his letter to ECI, Yechury reminded that these police officials are deprived of their right to vote in the 2024 Lok Sabha elections. 

Noting that all the police officials have already moved out for election duties assigned to them, the letter highlighted that these officers can only return once the entire election process is complete. 

Yechury further pointed out that the EC’s circular regarding voting through postal ballots for absentee voters in the category of persons employed in the essential service is “ambiguous.”

The letter stated that the denial of voting for these police personnel who fall under essential services as outlined by the EC is contrary to the efforts made by the Commission to encourage people to use their franchises in the general elections. 

“We would urge upon the Commission to restore the earlier facility and provide postal ballots to all those police officials stationed outside their constituencies” the letter demanded, adding that the Commission can also provide another “alternative” to ensure that the voting right of these officials is not denied.