The Assam Legislative Assembly elections are scheduled to take place on April 9, 2026, in a single phase, with counting of votes set for May 4. With 126 seats in the Assembly, any party or alliance requires a minimum of 64 seats to form the government.
To ensure wider participation, the Election Commission of India (ECI) has enabled postal ballot voting for specific categories of voters who may not be able to visit polling stations on election day. This article explains who can use postal ballots and how the process works.
Who Can Vote Through Postal Ballots in Assam Elections 2026?
Postal ballot voting is not available to all voters. It is specifically designed for individuals who are unable to physically attend polling booths due to duty or personal limitations. Eligible categories include:
Media personnel assigned to election duty
Essential service workers (healthcare, fire services, electricity, transport, aviation, etc.)
Persons with disabilities (PwD)
Senior citizens aged 85 years and above
Voters deployed for election duty
Service voters (such as armed forces personnel)
This initiative ensures that critical workers and vulnerable groups can still exercise their democratic rights without disruption.
Step-by-Step Process to Apply for a Postal Ballot
Eligible voters must follow a defined procedure to avail themselves of the postal ballot facility:
1. Obtain Form 12D
Voters need to fill out Form 12D, which can be:
Downloaded from the official ECI website, or
Collected from the Booth Level Officer (BLO)
2. Submit the Form on Time
The completed Form 12D must be submitted to the BLO within five days of the official election notification.
3. Verification and Approval
Election authorities scrutinise the applications. Once approved, a list of eligible postal voters is prepared and shared with political parties for transparency.
How Postal Ballot Voting Is Conducted
The voting process is carefully managed to ensure secrecy and fairness:
Polling teams visit the voter’s residence with the ballot paper and a sealed postal ballot box
Voting is conducted in complete secrecy, similar to a polling booth environment
Political party representatives may be present, but they cannot interfere with the process
The entire procedure is supervised by an Assistant Returning Officer
This process typically takes place around 24 hours before the official polling day.
Postal Voting at Facilitation Centres
For voters on election duty, special facilitation centres are set up where they can cast their votes securely. These centres follow strict guidelines to maintain confidentiality and integrity of the voting process.
Electronically Transmitted Postal Ballot System (ETPBS)
Service voters, particularly those posted outside their home constituencies, receive their ballots electronically through the Electronically Transmitted Postal Ballot System (ETPBS). They can then cast their vote and send it back as per the prescribed guidelines.
Ensuring Accessibility and Fair Participation
The introduction of postal ballots for senior citizens and persons with disabilities reflects the ECI’s efforts to make elections more inclusive. By extending voting options beyond physical polling stations, the system aims to ensure that no eligible voter is left out.
Postal ballot voting plays a crucial role in strengthening democratic participation by making the electoral process accessible, secure, and inclusive for all eligible citizens.