Chandigarh, May 23, 2024 – The Election Commission of India (ECI) has successfully concluded the first round of its Home Voting by Postal Ballot initiative in the Chandigarh Parliamentary Constituency. This innovative program is designed to enhance the inclusivity of the democratic process for citizens over 85 years of age and Persons with Disabilities (PWDs) with a minimum of 40% benchmark disability. In preparation for this initiative, Booth Level Officers (BLOs) carried out extensive door-to-door visits to the homes of all eligible voters in the constituency. During these visits, applications in Form 12D were collected from those who opted for the home voting facility. In Chandigarh, a total of 633 eligible voters chose Home Voting through Form 12D. On May 23, 2024, the first day of home voting, 135 electors, including 114 senior citizens and 21 Persons with Disabilities, cast their votes via postal ballot from the comfort of their homes. A dedicated team of polling officials, accompanied by a micro-observer, videographer, and police official, facilitated the home voting process. Contesting candidates were duly informed of the schedule, allowing them or their authorized representatives to observe the proceedings. Sh. Vinay Partap Singh said that the home voting process commenced at 8:00 AM and concluded at 5:00 PM. This schedule will continue until May 27, 2024, with an additional two days reserved for a second visit if required. Voters were notified in advance of the approximate arrival times of polling parties, and they also received SMS messages well ahead of the scheduled visits. The initiative witnessed a profound sense of pride and participation among both the voters and the polling teams. The Election Commission of India remains committed to ensuring that every eligible person can exercise their right to vote, reinforcing the principle that every vote counts.