The Election Commission (EC) on Monday wrote to Chief Electoral Officers (CEOs) of all the States and Union Territories for the facility of voting through postal ballot as “absentee voters” on essential services in the upcoming Lok Sabha polls and Assembly elections in several states.

“General Elections to the House of the People and Legislative Assemblies of Andhra Pradesh, Arunachal Pradesh, Odisha and Sikkim, 2024 and bye-elections to 26 Assemblies constituencies in 13 States-Commission’s notification under Section 60(c) of the Representation of the People Act, 1951 for the purpose of voting through postal ballot for absentee voters in the category of persons employed in essential services,” reads the letter issued by the poll panel’s Under Secretary Abhishek Tiwari.

The official wrote: “I am directed to forward herewith the Commission’s notification dated 19th March notifying the category of electors mentioned therein for the purposes of facility of voting through postal ballot as absentee voters on essential service. This may be published in the State gazette immediately and a copy of the same may also be forwarded to the Commission.”

“The departments of the notified category of electors may be informed accordingly, and may be asked to nominate ‘Nodal Officer’ for the purpose of the postal ballot facility to such electors. The Nodal Officer may be briefed about the facility and responsibilities and duties to be carried out by him/her,” the Under Secretary said.

The Nodal Officer should inform the electors concerned about the facility, the official said.

Meanwhile, the poll panel in a notification said, “In pursuance of the provisions of clause (c) of Section 60 of the RP Act, 1951 and on due consideration of the matter in consultation with the Government administration of all States and Union Territories, the EC hereby notifies the persons employed in the essential services as a class of persons to give vote by postal ballot on being on duty on the day of poll in the current General Elections and Legislative Assemblies of Andhra Pradesh, Arunachal Pradesh, Odisha and Sikkim, and bye-elections in 26 Assembly seats in 13 States.”

Lok Sabha elections will be held in seven phases between 19th April and 1st June, and the results will be declared on 4th June.