Lok Sabha Polls 2024: Family Battling Rare Genetic Disorder Casts Vote From Home

On April 7th, a team from the district election office in Churu, Rajasthan, visited the home of Bhanwar Lal in Sarothiya village. Their visit was in preparation for the upcoming Lok Sabha Election 2024, aiming to facilitate home voting for the family. However, this particular visit was exceptional, and for a rather unique reason.

Entire family inflicted with rare genetic disorder

Bhanwar Lal has seven children¡ªfive sons and three daughters¡ªall of whom suffer from a genetic disorder.

This condition prompted them to utilise the Election Commission's home voting system, marking a rare occurrence where an entire family availed of this facility.

BCCL

Babulal, a block social security official, explained, "The current generation of the family is suffering from a genetic disorder and all the brothers and sisters, aged between 35 and 22 years, have a disability of over 40%. We could not trace the family while preparing the list of home voters during Dec 2023 assembly election. But this time, we included the entire family in home voters¡¯ list."

Sarothiya village falls under the Sujangarh assembly segment of Churu Lok Sabha constituency. Babulal further added, "The family has a small plot of agricultural land. They eke out their livings from farming and the disability pensions of the five brothers."

Vote from home in Lok Sabha Elections 2024

The upcoming 2024 Lok Sabha elections in India has introduced a new feature: vote from home. This marks the first time such an option is being offered in Lok Sabha elections.

The 'vote from home' facility is specifically designed for individuals aged 85 and above, as well as persons with disabilities (PwD).

BCCL

With the 'vote from home' feature, eligible voters can conveniently cast their ballots for their chosen candidates through postal ballots, all from the comfort of their own homes, ensuring the confidentiality of their vote.

To utilise this option, individuals must apply to the returning officer of their respective constituency using Form 12-D. This application must be submitted within five days of the election notification.

This initiative aims to benefit approximately 1.8 crore senior citizens aged 80 and above, with 98 lakh falling within the 80 to 85 age range, and 82 lakh being over 85 years old.