The Election Commission of India (ECI) has approved 26,412 voters in Assam to cast their votes from home for the upcoming Assembly elections in 2026, in an effort to ensure that age or disability does not become a barrier to participation in the democratic process.
The “vote from home” facility is available to senior citizens aged 85 and above, as well as persons with disabilities (PwDs), enabling them to exercise their franchise without visiting polling stations. Among the approved voters, 19,774 are elderly citizens above 85 years, representing 19.32 per cent of this age group, while 6,638 are PwDs, accounting for 3.23 per cent.
Under the initiative, eligible voters are required to submit an application, following which trained polling personnel visit their homes to collect votes in a secure and transparent manner. Voters are informed in advance about the schedule of visits. If a voter is not available during the first visit, polling teams conduct a second visit to maximise participation.
The home voting process has already begun and will continue until April 5. The Commission has also notified candidates about the schedule, allowing them to depute authorised representatives to accompany polling teams after informing the Returning Officer.
Emphasising the importance of the initiative, the Commission stated that it reflects the principle that “every vote counts, and every voter matters,” underscoring its commitment to inclusive democracy.
Polling for all 126 Assembly constituencies in Assam will be held in a single phase on April 9, with counting of votes scheduled for May 4.
