Election Commission
General Elections and bye-elections 2026: Over 2.3 lakh Electors to avail the Home Voting
Posted On:
30 MAR 2026 5:02PM by PIB Delhi
- Election Commission of India (ECI) announced the schedule for the General Election to Legislative Assemblies of Assam, Kerala, Puducherry, Tamil Nadu and West Bengal and bye- elections in 6 states on March 15, 2026. Assam, Kerala and Puducherry are going to polls on April 9, 2026.
- The Commission, as per Section 60(c) of the Representation of the People Act, 1951, provides the optional facility of home voting for Elderly Voters above 85 years of age and Persons with Disabilities (PwDs) flagged in Electoral Rolls who may cast their vote through postal ballot. Such electors have to apply to their concerned Returning Officer within 5 days from the date of notification*.
- Accordingly, over 2.37 lakh electors in Kerala, Assam and Puducherry have been approved so far by the Returning Officers (ROs) for the home-voting facility. The details as on today, i.e., March 30, 2026 are as follows:
|
State/UT
|
No. of 85+ electors approved for home voting by
ROs
|
% of 85+ Electors going for home voting out of total 85+
electors
|
No. of PwD electors approved for home voting by
ROs
|
% of PwD Electors going for home voting out of total
PwD electors
|
|
Kerala
|
1,45,521
|
71.27%
|
62,240
|
25.50%
|
|
Assam
|
19,774
|
19.32%
|
6,638
|
3.23%
|
|
Puducherry
|
2,066
|
34.31%
|
1,621
|
11.6%
|
|
TOTAL
|
1,67,361
|
53.5%
|
70,499
|
15.22%
|
- The elector will be informed of the schedule of home voting in advance and a team of Polling officials will visit the Elector’s residence to collect their vote.
- Home voting in different constituencies of Kerala, Assam & Puducherry has already commenced and will be completed by April 5th. A second visit will also be undertaken if the voter is not available on the first visit.
- A videographer will accompany the polling officials along with police security cover and the entire process will be video graphed to ensure utmost transparency while preserving the secrecy of the vote.
- Contesting candidates of recognised political parties are provided a list of electors availing home voting facility. As per procedure, all candidates are informed about the schedule of the visits of the polling teams, and if they wish, they can depute their representative to accompany polling teams after intimation in Form 10 to the Returning Officer.
- Remaining 85+ and PwD electors who have not opted for the optional home voting facility will be provided with all necessary facilities at the polling stations, including volunteers, wheelchairs, and other assistance, to ensure a comfortable voting experience
*Note: (i) Notification issued for West Bengal Phase-I and Tamil Nadu on 30.03.26
(ii) Notification for West Bengal Phase-II will be issued on 02.04.26
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