Cong MP meets CEC, seeks expansion of postal ballot system

Congress MP Naveen Jindal today met Chief Election Commissioner V S Sampath and sought expansion of the postal ballot system to allow Indians to exercise their right to vote by post or any other form of absentee voting through internet or proxy.
Speaking to reporters after meeting the CEC, Jindal said he had sought provisions to allow migrant workers, students studying abroad, travelling professionals and senior or unwell citizens, who may not be able to travel to the polling booth, to vote in an alternative manner.
Jindal said the CEC had assured him that the Commission will look into feasibility of extending absentee voting rights to various categories of voters.

"The CEC said it would be difficult to implement these suggestions in the upcoming general elections but an attempt would be made to see what can be done," he said.
Jindal said 13 overseas electors had voted in the assembly elections of Punjab, Goa, Manipur, Uttarakhand and Uttar Pradesh held last year.
The Congress MP had also met Election Commissioner Nasim Zaidi last week over the same issue.