An absentee ballot is a vote cast by someone who is unable or unwilling to attend the official polling station.

Ø      Postal Voting - A ballot papers are posted out to the voter on request. The voter is supposed to fill up the form and attach some form of certification by a witness along with his signature and identity proof.

Ø      Proxy voting - The user appoints someone as their proxy. This proxy voter is authorized to cast or secure the vote in their stead.

Ø      Internet voting - It is used by Corporations and organizations to elect officers and Board members.

In the Betriebsratswahl(Works Council Elections in Germany), for the simplified electoral procedure, there is possibility of postal ballot, called the subsequent vote by correspondence. Those who can not personally give his vote may request absentee ballot. He is replaced by the electoral board and provides the required documents.

The desire for Subsequent Written Ballot is not later than three days before the date of the election meeting of the Betriebsrat election to inform the electoral board. Once a subsequent written ballot is requested, the electoral committee of the employees announces further indication of the place, date and time of the public vote counting.

In this absentee voting, the election meeting is not postponed. Only the date of the public counting of votes is postponed. The Electoral board shall immediately notify the employee about it. In this case, the electoral board has to seal the ballot box and store at the end of the election meeting for election of the Betriebsratswahl.

The facility of the absentee voting should not be misused to increase voter turnout. A valid reason should be given before a voter can participate in an absentee ballot.