The Hindu : Proxy vote: forms despatched to defence units

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Friday, Oct 31, 2003

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National

Proxy vote: forms despatched to defence units

By Our Special Correspondent

NEW DELHI OCT. 30. Defence forces are making preparations for the first major test of proxy voting rights granted to soldiers last month.

The three services have despatched forms to all headquarters and units, authorising the soldiers' blood relations as proxy voters in the coming elections to Assemblies of five States.

This form contains the willingness of the proxy and the signature of the service voter who is posted away from his home.

The commanding officer, a notary, or a first class magistrate countersigns it.

The completed form will be sent to the returning officer by the last date for nominations — November 3 for Mizoram and November 13 for polls on December 1.

The details of the proxy will be filled in the last part of the electoral rolls thus allowing the proxy to vote on behalf of and, hopefully, according to the instructions of the soldier.

The proxy too must be an eligible voter and cannot vote for more than two soldier-voters.

The Government had enacted the Election Laws Amendment Act, 2003, popularly known as the proxy voting bill as the earlier system of postal ballots was ineffective.Many posted in far-flung areas could not get access to postal ballots.

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