Govt. Reiterates vote as duty It is a welcome news that the Govt of Goa has started voting at home for those over 80 years and would wish to exercise from home.No idea of it is an experimental Malden idea implemented in a small state for the first time and will become a welcome regular feature in future First consent is taken,then the date is informed to the voter.The process starts at 10 a.m and it is mandatory for the team to cover 20 people a day. Velim Constituency has 9 teams to cover in 4 days those in this category and all over go will do the same from 5 to 8 February 2022 Team consists of BLO, 3 STAFF to complete voting procedure as in the booth, an armed guard and a video Grapher.Cardboard box for privacy, secrecy of the voter is provided The representatives of party candidates are also witness and sign the sealing procedure This procedure provides joy to the senior voters that they are considered as important and candidates too can benefit from otherwise non participating voters It is not clear whether these votes will be a part of counting of votes cast or utilised to settle only in case of a tie, in which case this is an exercise in futility considering the planning and expenditure involveled The ballot paper after after ticking the option is sealed in a cloth bag and in an enveloped witnessed as per law required. I too was eligible in the category but declined due to incorrect age. Govt is indicating that voting is a right to be exercised and is facilitating it by providing opportunity at home to senior citizens who desire In USA which is an advanced, oldest democracy , voting day is not a holiday and many do not exercise the franchise In .India it is a paid holiday Hope the Govt will also provide to this category of citizens at least few essential services at residence
Nelson Lopes Chinchinim
