As Bihar heads into result day, one thing hits the counting tables even before the first EVM is opened — postal ballots. These early votes often shape the first trends you see on news channels and social media, and they can influence the political mood within minutes of counting starting. Here’s a simple, friendly breakdown of how postal ballots work and why they matter.
What Exactly Are Postal Ballots?
Postal ballots — or mail-in ballots — are basically a way for certain voters to cast their votes without going to a polling booth. It’s meant for people who genuinely can’t be present in their home constituency on election day.
This option is available to voters such as:
- Personnel posted away on government or defence duty
- Individuals with health issues or disabilities
- People engaged in essential services
- Election duty staff
- Senior citizens aged 80 and above
- Persons with disabilities (PwDs)
- Media, healthcare, metro and railway workers on duty
- Voters under preventive detention
Over the years, the Election Commission of India (ECI) has widened this system, especially with the introduction of electronically transmitted ballots for service voters.
Read More :- Bihar Election Result 2025: Date, Time and How to Watch Live Counting on November 14
How Are Postal Ballots Counted?
On counting day, postal ballots get priority. They’re opened and counted before EVM votes.
Here’s how it usually unfolds:
- The postal department delivers all postal ballots to the designated counting centres.
- Election officials carefully verify each ballot to check if it’s valid.
- Only valid ballots go into the final tally.
- These early numbers create the initial trends that everyone watches so closely.
- The final voter turnout is calculated after adding all valid postal ballots.
Because they’re counted first, postal ballots often give the first hints of which way a constituency may be leaning — though these early trends sometimes change dramatically once EVM results start flowing in.
What Is ETPBS?
The Electronically Transmitted Postal Ballot System (ETPBS) is a game-changer introduced in 2016 for service voters.
Here’s how it works:
- A password-protected PDF ballot is sent electronically to the voter’s unit officer.
- A separate PIN is provided for authentication.
- The voter prints the PDF, marks their choice, and mails it back.
This system has dramatically increased participation among service voters — from a low 3–4% in 2014 to over 60% in the 2019 Lok Sabha elections, according to the ECI. Data for 2024 is yet to be released.
Who Can Use Postal Ballots?
The ECI allows postal voting for specific categories, including:
- Service voters (armed forces, paramilitary, government staff)
- Absentee voters unable to be physically present
- Election officials on duty
- Voters under preventive detention
- Essential services workers
- Persons with disabilities
- Senior citizens above 80 years
The goal is simple — ensure that those who serve the country or are unable to reach booths still have their democratic right protected.
How Does the Postal Voting Process Work?
The process is straightforward but comes with strict checks:
- Application: Voters apply once the election notification is issued.
- Receiving the ballot: Ballot paper, secrecy sleeve, declaration form, and prepaid envelope are sent by the Returning Officer.
- Marking the vote: The voter marks the ballot and places it inside the secrecy sleeve.
- Declaration: The voter signs the declaration form.
- Return: Everything is sealed and mailed back before the deadline.
Postal ballots must reach the Returning Officer before counting day to be counted. Even a delay of a few hours makes them invalid.
Postal ballots might not grab headlines like EVMs do, but they’re a crucial part of India’s election machinery. They ensure inclusivity and help shape the early narrative of every major election — including the high-stakes Bihar Assembly polls.
