Master Trainers' Guide to Election Procedures and Polling Officers' Duties

I. NOTIFICATION
II. NOMINATION
III. SCRUTINY AND ALLOTMENT OF SYMBOLS
IV. BALLOT PAPERS
V. COMMISSIONING OF E.V.M
VI. ARRANGEMENTS FOR POLL
VII. CONDUCT OF POLL
VIII. COUNTING OF VOTES
IX. A/C OF ELECTION EXPENSES

DUTIES AND FUNCTIONS OF
POLLING OFFICERS

1. ACQUAINT RULES AND PROCEDURES
DUTIES AND FUNCTIONS OF
POLLING OFFICERS
2. ON THE DAY PREVIOUS TO POLL
3. BEFORE THE POLL
4. DURIBG THE POLL 5. At the end of the poll

a. Constitution of India
DUTIES AND FUNCTIONS OF POLLING OFFICERS
1. ACQUAINT RULES AND PROCEDURES
b. Representation of Peoples Act, 1951
c. Conduct of Election Rules, 1961
d. Election Symbols
(Reservation and allotment) order 1968
e. Delimitation of Parliamentary and Assembly
Constituencies Order
f. Indian Penal Code 1860

I. ACQUAINT THOROUGH KNOWLEDGE
ABOUT ELECTION PROCEDURES
II. ON THE DAY PREVIOUS TO POLL
III. BEFORE COMMENCEMENT OF POLL
IV. DURING THE POLL
V. END OF THE POLL
2. DUTIES AND FUNCTIONS

Attend
all rehearsal
and
Training
Classes
Modus
operandi
of
EVMClarification
of
doubts
DUTIES AND FUNCTIONS OF MASTER TRAINERS
2. DUTIES AND FUNCTIONS OF POs
I. ACQUAINT THOROUGH KNOWLEDGE

1. Arrival at the Distribution Centre
2. FIND YOUR TEAM.
3.
3. FIND YOUR COUNTER.
4. Itinerary to and from the PS
5. Collect and check Polling Materials.

1. Arrival at the Distribution Centre
2. Identification of polling station
3. Familiarizing the Polling Team
4. Itinerary to and from the PS
5. Collection of Polling Materials.

ELECTRONIC VOTING MACHINE
CONTROL
UNIT
BALLOTING
UNIT
MOST IMPORTANT POLLING MATERIALS

READY LAMP AND BUSY LAMP
CONTROL
UNIT
BALLTING
UNIT

Marked copy of Electoral roll
Register of Voters (17 A)
Voters Slip
Indelible ink
Tendered Ballot paper
Arrow cross mark
Self inking pad
Metal seal
Copy of specimen signature of
candidate / Election agent

16 Point Report as per Annexure XV
Paper seal
Strip Seal
Presiding Officer’s Diary, Declaration etc
Sample of EVM Balloting Unit
Copy of Order No.51/8/7/2008/EMS(Inst.II)
dt.11.8.08
Address tag
Special tag

A detailed list of
polling materials
incorporated in
Annexure V
of Presiding Officers
Hand Book.

6. ARRANGEMENT OF POLLING STATION
a. Set up of PS (Slogans / Photo etc
should be covered or removed)
b. Set up of Voting Compartment
c. Display of Notices.

6. ARRANGEMENT OF POLLING STATION
The cable is of length 5m.
The distance between BU&CU
should not exceed 3m.
The PO should be able to view
every activity in the PS.

I. ACQUAINT THROUGH KNOWLEDGE
IV. DURING THE POLL
V. END OF THE POLL

1. Assignment of Duties to Polling Officers
2. Appointment of Election Agents
3. Preparation of EVM
4. Mock Poll
5. Sealing of EVM

1st
POLLING OFFICER
2nd POLLING OFFICER
3rd POLLING OFFICER

1ST
POLLING OFFICER
In charge
of
marked copy
Verification
of identity
of Electors
Read out
serial No
and entry of the
elector in the
electoral roll

1ST
POLLING OFFICER
Marking
in the
Photo
Electoral
Roll
PB

Minor errors in
the EPIC and
Electoral roll may
be
ignored and over
looked.
1ST
POLLING OFFICER

2nd
POLLING OFFICER
Issuance
of
Voters
slip
In charge of
Register
of
Voters
In charge
of
indelible ink
Obtain
Signature or
Thumb
Impression
of each
elector
From the upper tip of the nail to th
bottom of the 1st
joint

In charge
of
Control
Unit
Ensuring
indelible
ink mark
These duties can be performed by the presiding Office
where the number of Electors is small.
3rd
POLLING OFFICER
Activating
the
Balloting
Unit

Appointment letter in Form No.10
Appointment by candidate or his election agent
Revocation by candidate or his election agent
Compare specimen signature in case of any doubt
Pass for polling agents
2.Appointment of Election Agents

TIONS OF POs
ELECTION AGENTS.
One agent for min 2hrs at a time.
Should bear EPIC/appointment letter/PAS
Not to be allowed to go with electoral rol

Seating of polling agents
1. Candidates recognized by the National Parties
2. Candidates recognized by the State Parties
. Candidates recognized by State Parties of other
States who have been permitted to use their
reserved symbols in the constituency.
4. Candidates of registered unrecognized parties
5. Independent candidates
2.Appointment of Election Agents

Press the latch Pull out the cover

Connect
Balloting
Unit and
Control Unit
with
connecting
cable

Switch on
Power
using
Toggle
Switch

Close the
Rear
Compartment

MOCK POLL
Set to
zero (0)
by clearing
the machine
Press “Ballot” button.
Busy lamp in the
display section will glow
RED Simultaneously,
the ready lamp in the
balloting unit will also
start glowing GREEN

Ask
any polling agent
to press any of the
candidate’s button
on the balloting
unit Then the
ready lamp
on the
balloting unit
will go off.
MOCK POLL

Simultaneously
the candidate’s lamp
near the button
will start
glowing RED
Also a
‘beep’
sound will be
heard from the
control unit
MOCK POLL

After a few
seconds, the red
light near
the Candidate’s name,
red light in the
busy lamp
and the beep
sound
will go off
This indicates
the recording
of vote in the
Control Unit
MOCK POLL

Repeat
the process with
the remaining
agents
Press
“Total” button
for tallying the
total votes
polled
At the end of
mock poll,
press “CLOSE”
button
MOCK POLL

Next press
“Result”
button
Then
the display
panel
will show
the result Next press
“Clear” button
and show
the count zero (0)
to the agents
Certificate
of
Mock poll
MOCK POLL

2. Appointment of Election Agents
4. Start Mock Poll before I hr of POLL.
5. Sealing of EVM
III. BEFORE COMMENCEMENT OF POLL-6 AM

Give
Mock Poll
certificate
to the agents.
Show
Marked copy
of electors
to the agents.
Show the
Register of
voters to
the agents.
,
Ensure transparency

Signatures of
Presiding Officer
and Polling Agents
on the paper seal
Verification of
signatures
of agents.
SEALING OF EVM

Fixing of
Green
Paper Seal
SEALING OF EVM

Front side Back side
Signature
of PO and
Candidate
or Agent
Special Tag
Should be
sealed
using
Twine thread
SEALING OF EVM

Election To: (Lok Sabha or Legislative
Assembly)
From: (No. and Name of)
Constituency
Control Unit/ Balloting Unit No.: (ID number)
Serial No. & Name of
Polling Station Where Used ……..…….… …
Date of Poll:………………………………………
Closing and
Sealing of
outer cover of
result section
Attach
address tag
SEALING OF EVM

Strip seal
A B D
Front
side
C
Back
side
SEALING OF EVM

Fixing of strip seal
SEALING OF EVM

1.Commencement of poll
IV. DURING THE POLL
4. Other important functions
2. Admission into the Polling Station
3. Enforcement of Election Law

c. Declaration by the Presiding Officer
b. At the stroke of the hour fixed
a. Warning about secrecy of voting
d. Precautions about indelible ink
e. Maintenance of register of voters in form No.17 A
f. Maintenance of PO’s Diary
g. Maintenance of visitors sheet
h. Entry of voters to PS to be regulated
IV. DURING THE POLL 1.Commencement of poll

Separate
Queues
for
men and
women
Infirm/
Women voters
with babies
in arms
may be given
precedence
h. Entry of voters to PS to be regulated
IV. DURING THE POLL 1.Commencement of poll

1.Commencement of poll
IV. DURING THE POLL

WHO CAN ENTER.

1.Electors.
2. Polling Officers.
3.Candidate/Election Agent/Polling Agent.
4. Public Servants on duty.
5.Persons authorised by EC.
6.Helper to blind/inform voter.
7.Child in arms of elector.
8.Other helpers at special occasions
specially authorised by PO
WHO CAN ENTER.

1.Separate queue for men and women.
2.No entry to persons who are not specially
authorised by ECI.
3.No photo graph of recording
vote by elector.
4.No entry to police without request by PO.
REGULATION OF ENTRY.

1.EPIC .
2.Slip fro the BLO.
3. Other proof declared by commission.
Proof.

The electors
The Polling Officials
Each candidate, his election agent and one polling
agent of each candidate at a time
Persons authorized by the Election Commission
Public Servants on duty
Child in arms accompanying an elector
A person accompanying a blind or an infirm voter
Identifying officers

a. Declaration of Elector about his age
Obtain
declaration
as in annexure X
Inform the
penal provision in
section 31 of the R.P.Act
Imprisonment for one year or fine or both

b. Maintenance of secrecy
Violation of maintenance of secrecy is
punishable with imprisonment which may
extend to three months or fine or with both
as per section128 of the
Representation of People Act , 1951.

c. Prohibition of canvassing in or near PS
Canvassing of Votes
Soliciting the vote of any elector
Persuading any elector not to vote for
any particular candidate

c. Prohibition of canvassing in or near PS
Persuading any elector not to vote at
the election
Exhibiting any notice or sign relating to
the election
--are punishable under section
130 of the RP Act.

d. Other offences
Disorderly conduct in or near PS (section 131)
Misconduct at the PS (section 132)
Failure to observe procedure for voting (section 132 A)
Illegal hiring or procuring of conveyance (section 133)
Breaches of Election duty (section 134)
Going armed to or near PS (section 134 B)
Booth capturing (section 135 A)

Smoking to be prohibited inside the PS
Polling agents are not permitted to bring mobile phones
inside the PS
Photography prohibited inside the PS
Wearing of badges/emblem etc bearing the names of
candidate Political leaders or Symbols etc are prohibited.
Impersonation is punishable under the Indian Penal Code
d. Other offences

PO’s entry in Voting Compartment during Poll
Voting of blind and infirm voters
Adjournment or stoppage of Poll
Tendered Vote

4. CHALLENGED VOTE.

Challenged Votes
Challenge
Fee Rs 2
PO
conducts
Summary
enquiry
Burden of
proof Return/
forfeiture
of
challenge fee.
Record in
form 14

4. REFUSAL TO OBSERVE VOTING
PROCEDURE.

Refusal to observe voting procedure
Withdraw
and cancel
voters slip
Inscribe the fact
in Register
of Voters
Put signature
below the
entry in the
remarks column
Never change the Sl.No in 17 A

TIONS OF POs4. ELECTORS DECIDE NOT TO VOTE.

Electors deciding not to vote
Never change the Sl.No in 17 A
Shall not
Compell to cast
his vote
Inscribe
“Refused to Vote”
in remarks
column of register
of voters (17 A)
Signature
Or thumb
impression
of the elector
against the
entry

USE OF NEW VOTING MACHINE
Read out
a further
Declaration
in part II of Annexure VII

VOTER ASSISTANCE.

VOTER ASSISTANCE.
BLA cannot act as a companion.
A companion is permitted to help only one voter.
Age not less than 18 yrs.
Can enter the voting compartment along with
the elector to vote on hs behalf.

VOTER ASSISTANCE BOOTH
CANDIDATE’S ELECTION BOOTH
NRI VOTER
VOTING BY PROXY (CSV)

VOTING
BY
PROXY
(CSV)
Must be a resident of the constituency concerned
Should have at least 18 years of age
Shall not be disqualified for regn. as an elector
Indelible ink – on the middle finger
The letters “PV” should be suffixed in 17 A

REFERRAL IMAGE SHEET

Announce
the fact a
few minutes
before the
hour
appointed
CLOSING HOUR
Permit
Electors
present
at the
PS at the
hour
appointed
Distribute
slip
with
signature
in full.

Press “close”
button of CU
Show the
“total”
in the CU and
record in 17 C
CLOSING OF EVM

Supply
attested
copies
of 17 C to
Polling
Agents
Closing of
Voters
Register
(17 A)
CLOSING OF EVM
END OF THE POLL

DECLARATION
AT THE END
OF THE POLL
V. END OF THE POLL

V. END OF THE POLL
Place the
Control Unit
and Balloting
Unit in their
carrying
cases, close
and
seal with the
Address tag

DECLARATION
AFTER SEALING
THE EVM
V. END OF THE POLL

SEALING OFELECTION PAPERS.

SEALING OF ELECTION PAPERS
1. Cover
containing
17 C
2. Cover
containing
Declaration
of PO
3. Cover
containing
PO’s Diary
and 16 Point
Report
(The above covers should be sent separately along
with the EVM to the receiving centre)

Packet No. I
Statutory Covers-GREEN
Packet No.II
Non-Statutory Covers-YELLOW
Packet No.III-BROWN
Packet No.IV.BLUE

PACKET No. I
(Should be super scribed as “Statutory Covers”)
1. Sealed Cover containing marked copy of
electoral roll and List of CSVs
2. Sealed cover containing the Register of Voters (17 A)
3. Sealed Cover containing voters slips
4. Sealed Cover containing unused tendered ballot papers
5. Sealed Cover containing used tendered ballot papers
and the list in Form No.17 B
If any cover mentioned above is nil, a NIL cover should be placed.

PACKET No.II
(Should be superscribed as “Non-Statutory Covers”)
1. Copies of Electoral Roll other than marked copy
2. Appointment letters of Polling Agents in Form 10.
3. List of blind and infirm electors in Form 14 A and the
declaration of the companion.
4. Declaration obtained from electors as to their age
and list of such electors (Annexure XI)
5. Receipt book and cash, if any, in respect of
Challenged votes

6. Unused and damaged paper seals
7. Unused voters slips
8. Unused and damaged strip seal
10. List of challenged votes in Form 14 (Sealed Cover)
9. Unused and damaged special tags
PACKET No.II
(Should be super scribed as “Non-Statutory Covers”)

1. Hand book for PO
2. Manual of EVM
3. Indelible ink set without leakage
5. Metal seal of the PO
4. Self inking pad
6. Arrow cross mark
7. Cup of setting indelible ink.
PACKET No.III

All other items such as
Voting compartment,
Waste paper basket,
Polythene bag, etc…..
PACKET No.IV

POINTS TO BE REMEMBERED
Read Hand Book, Manual and instructions
Percentage of polling shall be informed
Ensure free and fair Election
Maintain close relation with the members
of your polling team
Maintain good relation with the polling agents

POINTS TO BE REMEMBERED
Commence the poll at the appointed hour
Formally announce the close of poll after
the last elector has voted
Take personal responsibility to hand over
the EVM and election papers.
Start mock poll at least one hour before the
hour fixed for the commencement of poll

Master Trainers' Guide to Election Procedures and Polling Officers' Duties

Recommended

Recommended

More Related Content

Viewers also liked

Viewers also liked (12)

Similar to Master Trainers' Guide to Election Procedures and Polling Officers' Duties

Similar to Master Trainers' Guide to Election Procedures and Polling Officers' Duties (20)

More from Jamesadhikaram land matter consultancy 9447464502

More from Jamesadhikaram land matter consultancy 9447464502 (20)

Recently uploaded

Recently uploaded (20)

Master Trainers' Guide to Election Procedures and Polling Officers' Duties