Service voter - GS questions based on daily current affairs

1)   Which of the following is true regarding an ordinary voter and service voter?

a. A person having service qualification can get enrolled at either his/her place of posting or his/her native place
b. A service voter cannot get enrolled at his/her place of posting
c. If person having service qualification enrols in his/her place of posting, he/she is still considered as service voter and not general elector.
d. If an ordinary voter migrates to other areas for job/profession, he can register as service voter.
Answer  Explanation 

ANSWER: A person having service qualification can get enrolled at either his/her place of posting or his/her native place

Explanation:

  • While an ordinary elector is registered in the electoral roll of the constituency in which his place of ordinary residence is located, person having service qualification can get enrolled as ‘service voter’ at his native place even though he actually may be residing at a different place (of posting).
  • He has, however, an option to get himself enrolled as general elector at the place of his posting where he factually, at the point of time, is residing ordinarily with his family for a sufficient span of time.
  • Service voter is a voter having service qualifications which are related to employment of armed forces, central government, etc. No ordinary person can be termed as service voter if he is not into service of armed forces, central government, etc.


2)   Which of the following is/are true regarding postal and e-postal ballot?

1) Current system of postal ballot involves one-way transmission of ballot paper by the postal services.
2) The e-postal system will provide complete online voting system useful for remote service voters.


a. Only 1
b. Only 2
c. Both 1 and 2
d. Neither 1 nor 2
Answer  Explanation 

ANSWER: Neither 1 nor 2

Explanation:

  • The Election Commission proposed that the categories of voters mentioned at rule 18 of the Conduct of Election Rules, 1961 may be made eligible for e-postal ballot system.
  • However, on a pilot basis, e-postal ballot system has been introduced by Notification dated 21st October, 2016 for service voters only.
  • A blank postal ballot could be electronically transmitted to the voter, namely, e-postal ballot system. Voters entitled to postal ballot such as service voters, can download the postal ballot and print the blank postal ballot.
  • After marking his vote in the blank postal ballot, the same would be returned to the concerned Returning Officer by post as in the present system of postal ballot.
  • This is one-way transmission of ballot paper by the postal services.
  • Current system of postal ballot involves two-way transmission of ballot paper by the postal services. This causes delays.


3)   Who of the following are categorized as ‘Service Voters’?

1) Being a member of the armed Forces of the Union
2) Being a person who is employed under the Government of India, in a post outside his/her cadre
3) Being a person who is employed under the Government of India, in a post outside India


a. 1, 3
b. 2, 3
c. 1, 3
d. All of the above
Answer  Explanation 

ANSWER: 1, 3

Explanation:

  • Service voter is a voter having service qualification. According to the provisions of Representation of People Act, 1950, service qualification means
a. Being a member of the armed Forces of the Union; or
b. Being a member of a force to which provisions of the Army Act, 1950 (46 of 1950), have been made applicable whether with or     without modification;
c. Being a member of an Armed Police Force of a State, and serving outside that state; or
d. Being a person who is employed under the Government of India, in a post outside India.