Thiruvananthapuram: The Election Commission of India has extended the home voting facility in Kerala elections for voters aged 85 years and above and those in the Persons with Disabilities (PwD) category until Monday, officials said.
According to data released by the Chief Electoral Officer of Kerala, the initiative has recorded an impressive response, with 96% turnout among senior citizens (85+) and 97.4% participation among PwD voters who opted for the home voting option.
High participation in the Kerala home voting facility
Officials said that out of 1,45,598 registered voters in the 85-plus category, as many as 1,39,871 voters have already exercised their franchise through home voting in Kerala.
Similarly, in the PwD category, 60,568 out of 62,159 voters have cast their votes, reflecting strong engagement in the accessible voting initiative.
The home voting system, introduced to improve inclusive elections in Kerala, enables elderly and differently-abled voters to cast their ballots from their residences.
2,500 polling teams deployed across Kerala
Since March 30, the CEO's office has deployed nearly 2,500 polling teams to facilitate the doorstep voting process, ensuring safe and convenient voting for eligible citizens.
Election officials noted that the initiative is part of broader efforts to enhance voter accessibility and participation in the Kerala Assembly elections 2026.
Postal voting gains momentum among essential services
Alongside home voting, postal ballot voting in Kerala has also seen significant uptake among personnel engaged in essential services, including police, fire and rescue, media, and healthcare sectors.
So far, 73.13% of voters in 14 essential service categories have cast their votes.
In the police department alone, 22,464 out of 29,812 personnel who applied for postal ballots have exercised their franchise.
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Voter facilitation centres set up statewide
The CEO's office said extensive arrangements have been made to streamline the election process, including the establishment of voter facilitation centres and postal voting centres across Kerala.
These measures are aimed at ensuring smooth election management, higher voter turnout, and inclusive participation in the ongoing electoral process.
Focus on inclusive and accessible elections
Election authorities emphasised that initiatives such as home voting for senior citizens and PwD voters are crucial for strengthening democratic participation and electoral inclusivity in Kerala.
With turnout figures already crossing 96% in key categories, officials expect the final numbers to further improve following the extension of the facility.