Absentee voter
Also called: Section 60(c) · Topic: Elections and the Electoral System · NCERT: Beyond NCERT
Meaning
An absentee voter belongs to a group of electors notified under Section 60(c) of the RPA 1951. These voters may cast their vote by postal ballot or from home instead of going to the polling station. The group covers:
- voters above 85;
- persons with 40% benchmark disability (a disability certified at 40% or more);
- workers in notified essential services.
The aim is to include people who would find it hard to reach a booth on polling day.
Example
In the 2024 Lok Sabha election, many voters above 85 chose to vote from home using Form 12D. A polling team came to their homes to collect their votes.
Don't confuse with
- Overseas elector (s.20A): This is an Indian citizen living abroad who is enrolled at their passport address. They must vote in person and cannot vote by post.
Related concepts
- Home voting
- Postal ballot
- Service voter
- Electronically Transmitted Postal Ballot System
- Proxy voting
- Prisoners' voting bar
- Systematic Voters' Education and Electoral Participation
- National Voters' Day