• This refers to a vote cast by someone who is unable to go to the polling station.
• The system is designed to increase voter turnout. In some countries, the voter is required to give a reason for not going to the polling station, before participating in an absentee ballot. In India, a postal ballot is available to only some citizens.
• The Representation of the People Act, 1950 allows heads of states and those serving in the armed forces to vote through postal means. The Lok Sabha recently passed a Bill to allow proxy voting for NRIs.
• However, domestic migrants and absentee voters in India cannot cast postal votes.

Source:TH