POLLING PARTY

1

• 
  INTRODUCTION
• POLLING PARTY
• There is polling party which conducts the
  polling process on the day of the poll .
• Polling party consists of Presiding Officer and
  two or three Polling Officers.
• If the number of electors is more than 1500, an
  additional Polling Officer may be appointed by
  the District Election Officer.
• Polling party reaches the polling station a day
  prior to the poll by specially provisioned
  vehicles.

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• ELECTRONIC VOTING MACHINES
• Voting machine consists of two units control Unit
  and Balloting Unit interconnected by cable.
• 2. One balloting unit caters up to sixteen
  candidates and displays names of
• contesting candidates and the symbols .
• There is a blue button on balloting unit by
  pressing which the voter can record his vote .
• 4. There is also a lamp for each candidate, which
  will glow red when the vote is
• recorded for him by pressing the said blue
  button.
• 5. Balloting unit is already prepared at the RO
  level . By putting ballot papers and
• number of contesting candidate and closing
  candidate set section in the control
• unit.
• 6. No further operation is required on the
  polling station except interconnecting cable to
  be plugged into the control unit.

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BROAD OUTLINES OF DUTIES OF PRESIDING OFFICERS
1. Presiding Officer should have a clear idea
of the arrangements to be made for secure secrecy
of voting, regulation of queue of voters,
protection of poll proceedings free from outside
interference, etc. 2. Before the commencement of
poll, the voting machine has to be demonstrated
to the polling agents. 3. Conducting mock poll
by recording a few votes at random for each of
the contesting candidates and tallying the
result. 4. After holding the mock poll, the
votes recorded at such mock pool have to be
cleared from the control unit of the
voting machine so that no data relating to the
mock poll remains in the memory of the machine.
5.The control unit of the voting machine has
then to be sealed. By fixing the green paper seal
(s) and special tag . 6. Electors shall be
allowed to vote on the basis of the Voters
slips strictly in the order in which they have
been entered in the register of voters.
Contd
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BROAD OUTLINES OF DUTIES OF PRESIDING OFFICERS
7. Demonstration of the voting machine, marked
copy of the electoral roll and the
Register of Voters to candidates or their polling
agents present and take their signature. 8.
Verification of electors identity The identity
of elector should be verified by the First
Polling Officer with reference to his entry in
the electoral roll and EPIC or other alternative
documents of identification . 9. If large number
of women electors especially pardanashin (burqa
clad ) women, a woman Polling Officer may be
appointed. 10. Application of Indelible ink
Then left forefinger should be marked with the
indelible ink by the Second Polling Officer.
If elector does not have left fore finger
should be applied to any other finger of left
hand. If no finger in left hand then ink should
be applied on right fore finger.
Contd.
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BROAD OUTLINES OF DUTIES OF PRESIDING OFFICERS
11. After an elector has been identified, the
entry relating to the elector in the marked copy
of the electoral roll should be underlined. A
tick mark (Ö ) will also be put on the left side
of entry in the case of a female elector. 12.
The serial number (not the name) of the elector
as given in the marked copy of the
electoral roll should be noted in the Register of
Voters (Form 17A). 13. If an elector refuses to
put his signature or thumb impression on the
Register of Voters, he shall not be permitted to
vote and an entry Refused to vote will be made
in the Remarks column of the Register of
Voters. 14. If elector refuses to vote, next
voter straightaway proceed to the voting
compartment for casting his vote.
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• SET UP OF POLLING STATIONS
• there is enough space for the voters to wait
  outside the polling station
  
• there is separate waiting space for men and women
  as far as practicable
• there is separate entrance and exit for voters.
• there is easy flow of voters from the time they
  enter the polling station to the time they leave
  it
• The polling agents are seated in such a way that
  they can see the face of an elector as and when
  he enters the polling station and able to see the
  entire operation at the Presiding Officers table
  or the table of third Polling Officer, where the
  control unit is kept and also see the movement of
  the elector from the Presiding Officers table or
  the table of third Polling Officer.
• Polling agent should not have the chance of
  seeing voter actually recording his vote by
  pressing particular button

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(No Transcript)
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• ARRANGEMENTS AT THE POLLING STATIONS
• (1) Outside each polling station there shall be
  displayed prominently
• a notice specifying the polling area, the
  electors of which are entitled to vote at the
  polling station and, when the polling area has
  more than one polling station, the particulars of
  the electors so entitled and
• a copy of the list of the contesting candidates.
• At each polling station shall be set up one or
  more voting compartments in which the electors
  can record their votes free from observation.
• The Returning Officer shall provide at each
  polling station one voting machine and copies of
  relevant part of the electoral roll and such
  other election material as may be necessary for
  taking the poll.

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DUTIES OF POLLING OFFICERS

• First Polling Officer will be in charge of the
  marked copy of Electoral Roll and also
  responsible for identification of electors.
• Second Polling Officer will be in charge of
  indelible ink and register of voters in form-7A.
• Put a mark with the indelible ink above
  the root of the nail. He will also obtained
• signature or thumb impression of each
  elector on register of 17A.
• Issue a voter slip to each elector after
  he has entered his particulars in the register.
• 3. Third Polling Officer will be in charge of
  the Control Unit of the voting machine. To keep
  watch on control unit and voting process. He will
  be seated on the same table where the Presiding
  Officer sits.

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PERSONS ENTITLED TO ENTER THE POLLING STATIONS

• Polling Officers
• (b) Each candidate, his election agent and one
  polling agent of each candidate at a time
• Persons authorized by the Commission
• Public servants on duty in connection with
  election
• Observers appointed by the Commission
• A child in arms accompanying an elector
• A person accompanying a blind or an infirm voter
  who cannot move without help and
• Such other persons as you may from time to time
  admit for the purpose of identifying voters or
  otherwise assisting you in taking the poll.

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SEATING OF POLLING AGENTS
Seating arrangement at the polling station for
the polling agents of candidates shall be in
following order (i) Candidates of
recognized National Parties (ii)
Candidates of recognized State Parties
(iii) Candidates of recognized State Parties
of other states who have been permitted
to use their reserved symbols in the
constituency (iv) Candidates of
Registered Unrecognized Parties and (v)
Independent Candidates If there is enough
space inside the polling station, all agents will
sit inside . If there is some space, they will
sit turn by turn. In case there is paucity of
space , all of them will sit outside but should
be able to see the proceedings inside the polling
station.
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COMMENCEMENT OF POLL

• Commencement of poll as per ECI instructions at
  the appointed time.
• 2. Presiding Officer has no authority to extend
  the appointed polling hours or the closing
• time except to continue the poll beyond the
  closing hour until all the electors present at
• the polling station at the hour appointed for
  the close of poll.
• PRECAUTIONS FOR INDELIBLE INK - Should be
  invariably applied on the left fore finger ,
  otherwise there may be chances of impersonation
  .
• MARKED COPY OF THE ELECTORAL ROLL
• Before the commencement of poll, marked copy of
  the electoral roll (copy of the electoral roll to
  be used for marking the names of electors who
  are allowed to vote) does not contain any marks
  or entries. Should be shown to polling agents and
  other persons present at the polling stations .
• REGISTER OF VOTERS IN FORM 17A Should be shown
  to polling agents.

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• RECORDING OF VOTES AND VOTING PROCEDURE
• When the elector comes with the voters slip the
  voters slip will be taken from him by the third
  Polling Officer and he will be allowed to vote.
• 2. All voters slips collected from electors
  shall be carefully preserved
• 3. After the voter slip has been collected his
  left forefinger shall be checked .
• 4. If the indelible ink mark made thereon is
  indistinct or has been removed, the same
• shall be marked again.
• The elector shall then be proceed to the voting
  compartment to record his vote.
• To enable the elector to record his vote, the
  Ballot button on the control unit shall be
  pressed by in charge of unit (PO/third polling
  Officer).
• The Busy lamp in the control unit will glow
  red and simultaneously the Ready lamp on each
  balloting unit will green and beep sound will be
  heard.
• The elector will record his vote in the voting
  compartment by pressing on the balloting unit,
  the Blue Button provided against the name and
  symbol of the candidate of his choice.
• After a few seconds, the beep sound and the red
  light in the candidates lamp on the balloting
  unit and the red light in the Busy lamp on the
  control unit will also go off.
• This is an important indicator that vote
  has been successfully cast.

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• CHALLENGED VOTE
• Polling agent can also challenge voters identity
  by depositing Rs 2 /.
• 2. Presiding Officer shall hold summary enquiry .
• 3. If challenge not established , allow the
  person to vote.
• 4. If challenge established person concerned
  shall debar from voting and hand over
• to the police.
• TENDERED VOTES
• 1. If a person presents himself at the polling
  station and seeks to vote representing himself to
  be a particular elector after another person has
  already voted as such elector, after verification
  of identity he will be allowed to vote by means
  of tendered ballot paper not by voting machine.
• 2. Tendered ballot will be kept in a separate
  cover.

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ENFORCEMENT OF ELECTION LAW IN AND AROUND POLLING
STATION

• BAN ON CANVASSING
• It is an offence under section 130 of the
  Representation of the people Act. 1951 to canvass
  within one hundred meters of the polling station.
  Any person who does so can be arrested without
  warrant by the police and may be prosecuted .
• CANDIDATES ELECTION BOOTH
• The candidates may provide one table and two
  chairs for the use of their agents and workers
  for the distribution of unofficial identity slips
  to voters beyond a distance of 200 meters from
  the polling station .
• 2. No crowd is allowed to collect around such
  tables.
• 3. Instance of violation may be reported to
  Sector Magistrate or other officials responsible
  for maintenance of law and order .
• 4. The polling agents should be from local
  polling area and should possess EPIC.

Contd
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ENFORCEMENT OF ELECTION LAW IN AND AROUND POLLING
STATION DISORDERLY CONDUCT IN OR NEAR THE
POLLING STATION Under
section 131 of RP Act 1951 If any person behaves
in a disorderly manner, he can be arrested by a
police officer and prosecuted. REMOVAL OF
DISORDERLY PERSONS Any person who misconducts
himself or fails to obey your lawful directions
during the poll may be removed from the polling
station on your orders by any police officer or
other persons authorized by presiding Officer
. ILLEGAL HIRING OF VEHICLES FOR THE CONVEYANCE
OF VOTERS is an offence under section 133 of RP
Act . REMOVAL OF VOTING MACHINE FROM POLLING
STATION TO BE AN OFFENCE Any person who commits
such act is a cognizable offence punishable with
imprisonment upto one year or with fine upto five
hundred rupees or with both. (section 135 read
with Explanation to section 61)
. contd
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ENFORCEMENT OF ELECTION LAW IN AND AROUND
POLLING STATION B REACH OF OFFICIAL DUTY BY
ELECTION OFFICERS If any Presiding or Polling
Officer is without reasonable cause guilty of any
act, or even of any omission, in breach of his
official duty, he commits a cognizable
offence. PROHIBITION OF GOING ARMED TO OR NEAR A
POLLING STATION 1. As per the provisions of
Section 134B of the Representation of the People
Act, 1951, no person (other than the Returning
Officer, the Presiding Officer, any police
officer and any other person appointed to
maintain peace and order at a polling station who
is on duty at the polling station) can, on a
polling day, go armed with arms, 2.If any
person contravenes these provisions, he is liable
to imprisonment for a term, which may extend to
two year or with fine, or with both. The offence
is cognizable.
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• VERIFICATION OF ELECTORS IDENTITY
• 1. Electors are required to produce the electoral
  photo identity card
• (EPIC) to establish their identity.
• 2. Those who are unable to produce the identity
  card for reasons beyond their control,
• should produce one of the alternative
  documents of identification specifically
• permitted by the Commission.
• Its complaint is essential to prevent
  impersonation.
• 4. Minor discrepancies in the entries relating to
  electors name, fathers/mothers/
  
  electors name, fathers/mother husbands name,
  sex, age (only within 2/3 years) or address in
  the electors age (only photo identity card shall
  be ignored and the elector allowed to cast his
  vote so long as the identity of the elector can
  be established by means of that card.
• 5. Any discrepancy in the serial number of the
  electors photo identity card as
  mentioned in the electoral roll shall be ignored.
• 6. If any elector fails or refuses to produce
  identity card he shall not be allowed to vote .

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TALLYING OF NUMBER OF VOTES POLLED
PERIODICALLY 1. Polling Officer will tally the
number of votes polled during every two hour
interval by pressing total button.
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• VOTING BY BLIND AND INFIRM VOTERS
• Blind and infirm voter are permitted to take a
  companion of not less then 18 years .
• No person shall be permitted to act as the
  companion of more than one elector at any polling
  station on the same day.
• Companion will be required to declare that he
  will keep secret the vote recorded by him.
• None of the polling staff shall act as a
  companion .

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• ADJOURNMENT OF POLL FOR RIOT, ETC. RIOT, ETC.
• Under section 57(1) of the Representation of
  People Act, 1951, the Presiding Officer of a
  polling station is empowered to adjourn the poll
  on account of
• a natural calamity like flood, heavy snowfall, a
  severe storm and the like, or
• non-receipt or loss or damage to essential
  polling materials like voting machine, authentic
  copy of electoral roll and the like, or
• disturbance of peace at the polling station
  making it impossible to take the poll, or
• non-arrival of the polling party at the polling
  station due to obstruction on the way or any
  other serious difficulty, or
• any other sufficient cause.

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• STOPPAGE OF POLL FOR FAILURE OF VOTING MACHINE,
  BOOTH CAPTURING, ETC.
• Under sections 58 and 58A of the Representation
  of the People Act, 1951, the Election Commission
  is competent to declare the poll at a polling
  station to be void and direct a fresh poll, if at
  that polling station-
• any voting machine has been unlawfully taken away
  by any unauthorized person, or
• any voting machine has been accidentally or
  intentionally destroyed or lost or damaged or
  tempered with and the result of the poll at that
  polling station cannot be ascertained for that
  reason, or
• any voting machine develops a mechanical failure
  during the course of the recording of votes, or
• any error or irregularity in procedure as is
  likely to vitiate the poll has been committed, or
  
• there has been booth capturing (as defined the
  Section 135A of the said Act.).
• If any such thing happens at your polling
  station, you should report full facts.

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• CLOSING THE CONTROL UNIT OF VOTING MACHINE AND
  ACCOUNTS OF VOTES RECORDED
• Control unit will be closed by pressing close
  button on the control unit . No elector is left
  in the queue to vote after designated time.
• When close button is pressed, control unit shows
  total number of vote .
• Total number of vote should be noted in part-1
  of form 17-C.
• Then power button will be switched off .
• Total number of vote recorded must be equal to
  voter register in form 17-A minus number of
  voters decided not to vote.
• Attested copies of form 17-C should be furnished
  to polling agent present.
• 7. Voting machine should sealed and secured for
  transportation after disconnecting both units .
• 8. Presiding Officer must comlete his diary.