SIR in Karnataka: Adult family members allowed to attend hearings for senior citizens, PwD, sick, overseas electors
The Karnataka Chief Electoral Officer has updated election procedures to allow adult family members to represent senior citizens, persons with disabilities, the sick, and overseas electors at hearings. This change follows public criticism regarding the previous requirement for in-person attendance by vulnerable groups.
Why it matters
This policy shift improves accessibility and inclusivity in the electoral process, ensuring that vulnerable populations are not disenfranchised by rigid administrative requirements.
The office of the Chief Electoral Officer (CEO), Karnataka has directed election officials to allow adult family members of senior citizens, persons with disabilities (PwD), sick and overseas electors to appear before Electoral Registration Officers (EROs) or Assistant Electoral Registration Officers (AEROs), on their behalf, to submit documents and information for disposal of notices issued to them.
The direction was issued by Joint Chief Electoral Officer S. Yogeshwara on September 11.
This follows the backlash over handling of the cases of prominent persons from various fields, with hearings being conducted at the convenience of VIPs in their home , while those needing assistance, such as senior citizens, sick and overseas voters, who cannot travel to the hearing venue or are not in the country, had to appear in person.
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