Now, people aged above 85 years to get postal-ballot facility, but not those above 80
New Delhi (PTI): The government amended electoral rules on Friday to allow citizens aged above 85 years to use the postal ballot facility in elections.
So far, those aged above 80 years were eligible for the facility.
The amendment came days before the schedule of the Lok Sabha and four state Assembly polls is likely to be announced.
According to the latest voters' list issued by the Election Commission (EC), while 1.85 crore voters have been identified as above 80 years of age, the number of "centenarian" (those who are aged 100 years and above) voters stands at 2.38 lakh.
According to a gazette notification issued by the law ministry on Friday, amendments have been made in the Conduct of Election Rules, 1961 to extend the facility of postal ballots to those aged above 85 years.
Through an earlier amendment, the EC had allowed those above 80 years of age to exercise their franchise through postal ballots.
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4 workers die after being buried under coal slurry in Jharkhand's Dhanbad
Dhanbad (Jharkhand) (PTI): At least four workers died after being buried under coal slurry in Jharkhand's Dhanbad district on Saturday, a police official said.
The incident took place at Moonidih coal washery in the command area of Bharat Coking Coal Limited (BCCL).
"Bodies of all four workers were dug out of debris during a rescue operation," Putki police station in-charge Waqar Hussain told PTI.
The incident took place when coal slurry was being loaded into trucks by workers, during which a large chunk of slurry fell and trapped several workers underneath, officials said.
The deceased have been identified as Manik Bauri, Dinesh Bauri, Deepak Bauri, and Hemlal Gope.
Meanwhile, the family members of the deceased and local villagers placed the bodies in front of the washery gate and began a protest.
They demanded compensation, jobs for dependents and action against those responsible for the incident.
Police and administration officials are trying to pacify the protesters, an official said.
