Fill form to vote from any assembly if not present in Delhi on day of Prez poll: EC to MPs

In exceptional circumstances, MPs and MLAs may be permitted by the Commission to vote at other state legislative assemblies also.Elected members of Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha, but not the nominated members, are part of the electorate. Similarly, elected MLAs, not nominated MLAs, can vote. Members of legislative councils MLCs cannot vote in presidential poll.

Members of Parliament who would not be present in the national capital on July 18 to cast their vote in Parliament House for the presidential election can do so from state assemblies, provided they inform the Election Commission in advance.

In a letter addressed to all members of Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha, the poll panel has reminded them that they can cast ballots in Room no 63 in Parliament House.

''However, on account of unavoidable reasons and exigencies of circumstances, if you cannot be present in New Delhi on the date of the poll, you can opt to exercise your right to vote at the presidential election at any of the polling places situated in the state or Union Territory of Puducherry and NCT of Delhi,'' the June 16 letter said.

The MPs who intend to vote from one of the state legislative assemblies have to send a ''formal request'' to the EC by filling up a form.

The request should reach the poll panel ''not later than ten days before the date of the poll'' so that necessary arrangements can be made.

''It may kindly be noted that the request once made and accepted by the Commission to vote at any State Legislative Assembly will be final and no further changes will be entertained in this regard,'' the poll panel has cautioned.

While normally MPs vote in New Delhi and MLAs at the premises of the legislative assembly of each state, facilities are provided by EC for any MP to vote in the legislative assembly of a state.

Similarly, an MLA can vote at the polling booth set up in Parliament House, if he or she is in Delhi on the date of the poll. In exceptional circumstances, MPs and MLAs may be permitted by the Commission to vote at other state legislative assemblies also.

Elected members of Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha, but not the nominated members, are part of the electorate. Similarly, elected MLAs, not nominated MLAs, can vote. Members of legislative councils (MLCs) cannot vote in the presidential poll.