Postal votes surge in Jharkhand polls, may shift electoral dynamics

Mail News Service

Jamshedpur, Nov 13: The upcoming Jharkhand Assembly elections could see a major impact from postal voting, with the first phase already recording over 1.13 lakh postal ballots cast across 43 seats. According to data from the Chief Electoral Officer’s office, more than 2.65 lakh applications for postal voting have been submitted, indicating a potential game changer in close races.

Dr. Neha Arora, Additional Chief Electoral Officer, noted that the increase is due in part to new provisions for disabled and elderly voters, stating, “The Election Commission has provided postal ballot facilities for disabled and elderly voters, leading to a rise in the number of postal ballots this election.” This accommodation has contributed to what analysts suggest could be a decisive factor in determining close contests across the state.

Historically, postal ballots have swayed results in tight races. In the 2019 Assembly elections, nine seats were decided by slim margins, such as Congress’s narrow 285-vote win in Simdega and BJP’s 824-vote lead in Baghmara.

Political analysts point to service voters, who comprise a large portion of postal voters, as key to shifting the vote balance. Dissatisfaction among these employees could favor the BJP-NDA, while appreciation for the old pension scheme and concessions may benefit the All India Alliance.

In the 2019 Assembly elections, a total of 1.81 lakh voters cast their ballots by post, compared to this election’s anticipated 2.65 lakh, underscoring the postal ballot’s potential to shape electoral outcomes in Jharkhand’s tight race.