Odisha CEO Stresses On Extensive Use Of Postal Ballots In Bypolls

Bhubaneswar: Chief Electoral Officer (CEO), Odisha Sushil Kumar Lohani on Saturday interacted with district electoral officers, returning officers and other officials of two districts on preparation for byelections to Balasore and Tirtol Assembly constituencies.

Lohani briefed the officials on various Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) applications to be used during the bypolls through video-conference.

Stressing on extensive use of postal ballots, he advised Booth Level Officers (BLOs) to visit the houses of voters above 80 years and Persons With Disabilities (PWDs) by October 14 and provide them Form-12(D) to apply for the option to exercise their franchise through postal ballot, according to an official release.

He also reviewed how the service voters can exercise franchise through Electronically Transmitted Postal Ballot System (ETPBS).

Due to the prevailing COVID-19 situation, the Election Commission of India (ECI) has allowed candidates and political parties to file online applications. The contesting candidates and political parties can also apply online for holding meetings, use of public address system and vehicles through Suvidha App.

The publication of final voters list and booth list of both constituencies through ERO NET was also discussed at the virtual meeting.