TRAINING OF POLLING PERSONNEL

TRAINING OF
POLLING PERSONNEL
“NO VOTER TO BE LEFT BEHIND,
EACH VOTE COUNTS”
CHARAK RAY
libra.charak@gmail.com

OBJECTIVES OF THE TRAINING
To provide clarity to Polling personnel on
• Election Management.
• Free & fair conduct of Polling .
• Deep Knowledge on Functioning of EVM & VVPAT.
• Critical Errors of EVM & VVPAT & its action to do.
• Election Laws.
• Mock Poll Procedure.
• Sealing of EVM & VVPAT.
• Sealing of Statutory & Non-Statutory Covers.
• Procedure for application of indelible ink.
• Procedure to handle on Challenge Vote, Tender Vote, Proxy voter, Companion, Test Vote,
Under age elector, PB, EDC, Oversea elector.
• Procedure for filling up of different forms for election.
• To know about do’s & don’ts of EVM & VVPAT
• And other important aspects of election

❑ Election management is a challenge which can be overcome by objective, planning and meticulous execution, facilitated by
an elaborate, attentive training.
❑ PrO is a Govt/ Semi Govt/ Local body official who is appointed u/s 26 of RP Act,
1950 by DEO. He is over all charges of the polling station. In his absence, 1st Polling
Officer shall act as PrO. Though all the polling Officers including PrO appointed for
election duty are under the administrative control of their respective department
heads; but for election process, they are under superintendence, direction and
Control of ECI. During Election, they are under disciplinary Control of Election
Commission of India.
❑ The duties of PrO at various stages like
i. On Appointment
ii. On the day of Dispersal
iii. On arrival at the Polling station
iv. On the day of Poll
v. After end of the Poll
NB- The details mentioned at Annexure-3 of PrO Hand Book at page No – 145
to 147 must be referred to.

ADEQUATE KNOWLEDGE ABOUT THE WORK OF POLLING
PERSONNEL TO PERFORM AT POLLING STATION
• Full understanding of laws, Provisions & latest instructions of ECI.
• Proper understanding and Hands on of EVM & VVPAT and its sealing
procedure.
• Casting of PB(Form 12), Vote by EDC( 12 A & B), Oversea Voter, CSV, Allowed
electors to vote from ASD list, Proxy Voter, Companion Voter (Form 14-A),
Tendered Ballot (17-B), Braille Ballot, Chart of BU, Voter Challenge (Form-14)
and Test Vote u/s 49 MA.
• Special focus on 7A, 10, 17A, 17C, PrO diary, 16 point form, address Tag,
Special Tag, PPS, Green Paper Seal and Strip Seal (A-B-C-D seal) for sealing
EVM, VVPAT and Plastic Box containing black envelop of Mock poll slip.
Recording of entries at 17 A.
• Setting up of PS, VC, EVM & VVPAT (No direct Sun light to the VC, No direct
luminous light over the VVPAT, VC should be adequate lighted, No VC near
window, No violation of Secrecy of voting, No concealing of wires of EVM
and VVPAT. Placing of VVPAT on the left of BU inside the VC.

ADEQUATE KNOWLEDGE ABOUT THE WORK OF POLLING
PERSONNEL TO PERFORM AT POLLING STATION
• Briefing PAs on Secrecy of Voting, Reading out declaration of poll and obtain signature of PAs in
declaration form and also at time subsequent Mock Poll in the event of EVM Change.
• Periodical Tally of the votes casted and two hourly report to Sector Officer.
• Recording of Events in PrO Diary & Maintenance of Visitor’s Register at the time of visiting of
Officers to the PS.
• Issue of Numbered Slip serially from end of the queue to the voters who are waiting on queue for
vote at the closure time of Poll.
• Sealing of BU, CU & VVPAT carry case after Closure of the Poll. Don’t forget to Press the Close
Button of CU and power of the CU before sealing.
• Sealing of Statutory, Non-Statutory and other Covers.
• Ensure to fill up the Vote of Accounts in 17-C, obtain sign of PAs and supply a certified copy of the
same to the PAs present in PS.
• Obtain signature of PAs in the Poll Closure Declaration Form and Sealing of EVM & VVPAT carry
case.
• Sign of Declarations/ certificates: Mock Poll/ Start of Actual Poll & Secrecy of voting/ Subsequent
Mock Poll if any/ wrong printing declaration if any/ companion voters if any/ close of Poll/Sealing
of Carry case/ Vote of Accounts.

A SPECIAL FOCUS ON ESSENTIAL FORMS/ DECLARATIONS/
CERTIFICATES TO BE USED OR FILLED UP AT PS BY PRO.
Form- 7A
List of contesting Candidates ( a copy to be displayed at the notice board of PS
& the same is to be used for verification of BU & CU at Dispersal Centre.)
Form- 17A
Form- 17B
Form- 17C
Form- 10
Form- 12
Form- 12A
Form- 12B
Form- 14
Form- 14A
Voters’ Register (To be maintained by Second Polling Officer]- [Important: last
four digit of identity proof must be recorded with name of IC.]
Form to be used for list of electors casted their Tendered Votes, [To be filled
up by PrO at the end of the Poll.]
Accounts of Vote. Part-I to be filled up by PrO and Sign of PAs must be taken at
PS and certified copy of the same must be provided to PAs.
Appointment Letter of Polling Agents must be affixed with photograph and
Signature of PA and attested by the RO/DEO.
Application for Postal Ballot Paper by the personnel engaged in polling
process.
Application for Election Duty Certificate [EDC] by the official engaged in
Election duty if his/ her name found place in the PER of said AC.
Form for issue of EDC [DEO will issue the EDC to the official on receipt of
application in Form 12A.]
List of Challenging Cases where Challenge not established and fees have been
forfeited.
Declaration of the Companion of blind and infirm voter. [To be obtained by
PrO and indelible must be provided to both ie in left hand forefinger of
elector and right hand index finger of the Companion voter.]

A SPECIAL FOCUS ON ESSENTIAL FORMS/
DECLARATIONS/ CERTIFICATES TO BE USED OR FILLED
UP AT PS BY PRO.
16- Point Form PrO should be filled the 16- point Form after end of Poll for Observer.
Mock Poll
Certificate-1
Mock Poll
Certificate-II
Poll Declaration
Certificate
Cert. on Sealing
of EVM after Poll
49 MA
declaration
Form- M21
To be prepared by the PrO and obtain sign of PAs (Pooling Agents)after
verification of result with CU & VVPAT Slip; and sealing of VVPAT Drop
Box & CU after clearing.
Subsequent Certificate to be prepared by PrO, if EVM replaced during Actual
Poll after doing Mock Poll with 1 vote to each contesting candidate including
NOTA.
Meant for Delivery of materials at Receiving Centre. [To be filled up by
the PrO after end of the poll and sealing of Statutory, Non-statutory &
Other covers and submitted at the receiving center.]
Poll End
Certificate
Under age elector’s
declaration
To be prepared by the PrO before start of actual Poll and
signature of the PAs to be obtained.
To be prepared by the PrO after close of actual Poll, pressing of Close button of CU
and Switch of of CU; than signature of the PAs to be obtained.
To be prepared by the PrO after sealing of EVM & VVPAT Carry
Case and signature of the PAs to be obtained.
The consequences of wrong printing complaint will be aware to the elector and
declaration to be obtained by PrO from the complainant before Test Vote.
PrO to obtain an undertaking from the elector who seems to be under age
before allowing to vote . Its record also be kept in Part- I or Part-II of the
desired form.

A SPECIAL FOCUS ON ESSENTIAL FORMS/
DECLARATIONS/ CERTIFICATES TO BE USED OR FILLED UP
AT PS BY PRO.
PrO’s Diary PrO should fill the desired information on each event in PrO Diary.
Visitor’s
Register
PrO Should ensure to obtain the signature of the visitors like SO, Zonal
Magistrate, Observer, RO/ ARO/ DEO, etc while visiting the PS.
PAs Movement
Register
PrO Should maintain the movement Register of Pas in Ps ; so that only
one agent of one candidate will present at PS. No movement before 2
Hrs of end of the Poll.
MCER- Mark
Copy of E.R
Other Copies of
E.R
1st Polling Officer will mark the Electoral Roll for identification of male
Elector and Women Elector. It must be ink signed one of RO/ARO with
seal. The PB/ EDC/ CSV voter if any shall be marked on the said PER.
Other copies of the ER shall be kept with him for reference and
verification of PrO. One of the copy must be hanged on the wall of the
P.S.
Check list for
PrO
The PrO should verify the check list whether he has accomplished the
task as per check list or not.
Declaration of
Companion
The PrO will obtain a declaration from the Companion voter for blind/
infirm elector.
List of Under
age elector
The PrO will prepare a list in the Form Part-I and Part-II which is
applicable for

POLLING STATION LAYOUT – (IMPORTANT CHECK POINTS)

VOTING COMPARTMENT
• VOTING COMPARTMENT-LOK SABHA ELECTION
• VOTING COMPARTMENT- ASSEMBLY ELECTION
• Voting Compartment made of flex-board of steel grey colour
(24”x24”x30”), 12” extension in length for additional BU.
• Height of the table- 30”.
• Voting compartment should be positioned in such a manner
that it doesn’t violate “Secrecy of voting” and VVPAT sensors
are not exposed to direct light. It should not be near the
window.
• VC must be sufficiently well lighted
• The cables of EVM and VVPAT should not be concealed and
not criss-crossed so that elector may come across the cable.

BRIEF DUTIES OF THE PRESIDING OFFICER
➢ (i) Place the Ballot Units and printer with drop box in their respective voting compartments. In
no case the Ballot Unit or the Control Unit or printer with drop box be placed on the floor. It
must be kept on a table;
➢ (ii) Connect the Ballot Units and printer with drop box with their respective control units;
➢ (iii) Switch on the power;
➢ (iv) Demonstrate before the hour fixed for actual commencement of the poll to the
candidates/agents present that the voting machines are clear and do not contain any votes;
➢ (v) Conduct mock poll to ensure and demonstrate to the polling agents that the EVM is in
perfect working condition;
➢ (vi) Clear the mock poll result; clear the drop box of VVPAT .
➢ (vii) Prepare the certificate of mock poll;
➢ (viii) He should be clear that according to the Election Commission’s instructions, if there is no
mock poll at a polling station, there shall be no poll at that polling station ;
➢ (ix) Ensure that on the green paper seal fixed in the CONTROL UNIT FOR LOK SABHA ELECTION
only the candidates for the Lok Sabha election or their polling agents, who are present at the
polling station at that time, affix their signatures, and similarly, on the green paper seal fixed
in the CONTROL UNIT FOR ASSEMBLY ELEECTION, the candidates for assembly election or
their polling agents alone affix their signatures;

➢ (x) See that voting compartments have been properly arranged with appropriate
posters pasted outside to indicate clearly the election pertaining to which the
Ballot Unit and printer with drop box is kept inside;
➢ (xi) Ensure that the cables to connect the Ballot Units and printer with drop box
with their respective control units are placed in such a way that the cable is visible
to everyone while also ensuring that the voters are not required to cross over them
during their movements inside the polling station. It should also be ensured that
the cable does not hang loose under the voting compartment;
➢ (xii) Ensure that all the members of the polling party are in position well before the
commencement of the poll and all materials and records are kept handy and ready
to commence poll at the appointed hour;
➢ (xiii) Prevent any member of the polling party or any polling agent from wandering
here or there inside the polling station and to keep them seated in their allocated
seats;
➢ (xiv) Commence the actual poll at the stroke of the hour fixed for commencement
of poll;
➢ (xv) Keep, during the progress of poll, a close watch on the movements of the
voters and to be alert and watchful so that no voter goes away without voting;
➢ (xvi) Ensure that during the first hour of the poll when polling is generally brisk, no

➢ (xvii) Check the total votes cast periodically on both the control units and also to
ensure that voters have voted in acceding to their serial numbers given on the
voter’s slip;
➢ (xviii) Ensure that in simultaneous election, copies of Form 17C for parliamentary
election are supplied to polling agents of the candidates in parliamentary
constituency only and copies of Form 17C for the assembly election are given
only to the agents of candidates of assembly constituency.
➢ (xix) At regular intervals check the ballot unit to ensure that the voter has not
tampered with it in any manner. The voter already in queue at the time fixed for
close of poll will be allowed to vote.
➢ (xx) Identification of ASD Voters - The Presiding Officer shall personally verify the
identification document (EPIC or any one of the alternative photo documents,
permitted by the Election Commission) and proper details shall be registered in
the Voter’s Register (Form 17A). Thumb impression of ASD Voters shall also be
obtained (even in the case of an elector who is literate and can sign) in addition
to signature against the column of ‘signature/thumb impression’ of Voter’s
Register. At the end of poll, Presiding Officer shall give a certificate (to be kept
with Voter’s Register for scrutiny) that so many ASD Voters have been allowed to
vote after scrutiny. Wherever possible, ASD Voters shall be photographed and
record of the same kept.

DUTIES OF THE DIFFERENT POLLING OFFICERS AT PS
➢ First Polling Officer
He will be identifying the electors and will be in- charge of marked copy of the
electoral roll.
➢ Second Polling Officer
He will be in-charge of the indelible ink and voters register.
➢ Third Polling Officer
He will be in-charge of the voter's slip ( White colour slip for Lok Sabha & Pink
colour slip for Vidhan Sabha.
➢ Fourth Polling Officer
He will be in-charge of the Control Unit for Lok Sabha election.
➢ Fifth Polling Officer
He will be in-charge of the Control Unit for
State assembly election.

IMPORTANCE OF 4TH AND 5TH POLLING OFFICERS
➢ It may appear that the 4th and 5th Polling Officers have been given a very
easy job. On the contrary, the success of simultaneous election depends on
their alertness. Their job is not only to simply press the 'Ballot' button to
activate the voting machine, but they have also to ensure that each elector
votes in his/her turn exactly in the same serial order as has been given in
the voters' slip.
➢ They have also to keep a constant watch to ensure that when they direct any
elector to go and vote, the elector goes into the correct Voting Compartment
and votes accordingly. Due to ignorance or otherwise, if any elector seems to
be not sure as to where to go and what to do after he has been allowed to
vote, it is the duty of these two Polling Officers to ensure that the elector
follows the correct procedure. Specially, during the first hour of poll, when
there is usually a lot of rush, they must keep themselves cool and see that the
voting proceeds smoothly.
➢ Whenever there is a respite and in any case after every one hour of poll, they
should also tally the total votes polled with the total number of voters as
shown in the voters register and as displayed in the two Control Units.

PROCEDURE FOR APPLICATION OF INDELIBLE INK
➢After the voter has been correctly identified and verified by the 1st
polling officer, the 2nd polling officer examines the left hand
forefinger of the voter and marks it with the indelible ink.
➢The ink mark should be made from the top of the nail, reaching up
to the first joint of the fore finger over the skin. The ink mark should
be put earlier than signature of the voter in form 17 A, because the
ink would dry up within the time, he goes to vote.
➢If the voter is found to apply any oily or greasy substance in the fore
finger to neutralize the indelible ink, the 2nd Polling Officer during
inspection of the fore finger should wipe it off with a piece of cloth
or rug supplied to the polling party in their list.
➢In case the voter doesn’t allow to mark his forefinger with the ink, he
should not be allowed to vote.

PROCEDURE FOR APPLICATION OF INDELIBLE INK
➢When / if the voter has no left forefinger then indelible ink has
to be applied in any of his finger in the left hand.
➢In case he has no fingers in left hand, then right hand
forefinger or any other finger on right hand should be marked.
In the worst case if he has no fingers on both hands then the
indelible Ink should be marked on the stump of the limb.
➢In case of re-poll, indelible mark should be made on left hand
middle finger, clearly ignoring the earlier mark on the fore
finger.
➢In case of the companion accompanying blind or Infirm voter,
the right hand index finger of the companion & left hand fore
finger of the elector should be marked with Indelible Ink.
➢In case Proxy voter for CSV, the left hand middle finger should
be marked with indelible ink.

PERSONS ENTITLED TO ENTER THE POLLING STATIONS
In addition to the electors assigned to the polling station, only the
following persons can be admitted into the Polling Station:
➢ Polling Officers;
➢ Each candidate, his election agent and one duly appointed polling agent of each
candidate at a time;
➢ Media persons authorized by the Commission;
➢ Public servants on duty in connection with election;
➢ Observers appointed by the Commission;
➢ Micro observers, Videographers/ photographers/ staff for webcasting in the case of a
critical/sensitive Polling Station;
➢ A child in arms accompanying an elector;
➢ A person accompanying a blind or an infirm voter who cannot move without help;
NB:- The Contesting Candidates will be issued Identity cards by RO bearing their
photographs. In case a necessity arises, you may ask for its production when they visit
the polling station. Similarly, the election agents of the candidates can be asked to
produce the duplicate copy of their appointment letter in Form No -10, which must be
attested by the Returning Officer and also bears the photograph of the election agent.

PERSONS ENTITLED TO ENTER THE POLLING STATIONS
• The term "Public servant on duty in connection with election" does not normally
include police officers. Such officers (whether in uniform or in plain clothes) should
not (as a general rule) be allowed to enter inside the polling booth. You may,
however, call them in occasionally for the maintenance of law and order or some
similar purpose, whenever the necessity arises.
• Similarly, security personnel, if any, accompanying an elector or candidate or his
election agent or polling agent should also not be allowed to enter the polling
station except the security personnel for the Z+ protected, that too only a single
plain clothed security personnel with concealed arms.
• Entry of persons should be strictly regulated as detailed above; otherwise, the
smooth and orderly conduct of poll may be vitiated. Only three or four electors are
to be allowed to enter the polling station at a time.
• If any doubt arises about the credentials of any person, with a reasonable
suspicion, in the polling booth, he shall be searched, if necessary, even though the
person concerned may be in possession of a valid authority letter to enter the
polling booth

ENTRY OF MEDIA INSIDE POLLING STATION
• No Media / Publicity Official shall be allowed entry inside the polling booth without the
letter of authority from the commission.
• No media shall be allowed to take a photograph an elector recording his/her vote inside
the polling station. However they can take photographs of a crowd of voters lining up
outside the polling station.
• Proper care should be taken to ensure secrecy of vote while taking videography of any
vulnerable polling stations by media men or videographers. In no case, the secrecy of
voting should be violated. A declaration from such Photographer/ Videographer has to
be obtained by the PrO.
• As per recent instruction of the ECI, CC Camera will be installed in 10% of the Polling
Station.

POLLING AGENT APPOINTMENT
➢ Polling Agents are appointed by contesting candidates / their election agents in
Form – 10.
➢ One Polling Agent & Two relief agents can be appointed for every polling station.
But at any point of time only one polling agent of each candidate shall be present
inside the polling station during polls.
➢ The polling agent shall ordinarily be resident & Elector in the same polling station
or from the neighboring polling station of the same constituency.
➢ They should have EPIC or any other identification issued by Govt. or Agency of
Govt. The EPIC/ Identity card shall be displayed on their persons conspicuously.
➢ The R.O. shall facilitate issue of EPIC to the polling Agents if they
don’t have one upon the request of the contesting candidate or his
election agent.
➢ The Presiding Officer is supposed to check the appointment form
of the polling agent and ensure it is for the same polling station.

➢ Once his/her identity for the Polling Station is confirmed by the Presiding
Officer, the polling agent is supposed to sign the declaration and deliver the
same to Presiding Officer before sitting inside the Polling Booth. The Presiding
Officer is required to submit all such appointment letters of polling Agents to
the R.O. along with other documents after the end of poll.
➢ In case of doubt regarding the appointment letter of the Polling Agent, the
specimen signature of the candidate or his Agent on the letter, may be
compared with that provided by the R.O.
➢ Polling agents’ attendance to be ensured one hour before real poll i.e. during
Mock poll. However if any Polling Agent comes late, he may be allowed inside
the polling station after proper identification.
➢ Polling Agents of same candidate shall be allowed to relieve each other when
necessary, after due entry of signature and timings on a Polling Agent
movement sheet (given in Annexure 17) before Presiding Officer, which
should be submitted at EVM receiving centre after end of poll.

➢ Polling Agent shall not be allowed to carry cell phones, cordless phones,
etc. to the polling booth nor shall he be allowed to send slips outside
indicating Sl Nos of voters who voted and not yet voted.
➢ Polling Agents may be allowed to sit behind the 1st Polling Officer inside
the booth, preferably, so that they can be able to identify voters as they
enter & all the procedures they undergo till casting their votes in Voting
Compartment and exit from the booth.
➢ Seating order of P.A. inside the booth will be in the order as specified by
ECI-
a) Candidates of the National Political Party
b) Recognized state political parties
c) Recognized Political parties of other state.
d) Registered un-recognized party
e) Independent party

MARKED COPY OF E-ROLL
➢ Marked copy of E-Roll is the copy of the E-Roll which is to be used for marking the names
of electors who are allowed to vote.
➢ It does not contain any remarks other than those used for issuing Postal ballot papers, such
as ‘PB(Postal Ballot)’, ‘EDC(Election Duty Certificate)’.
➢ The word DELETED is superimposed on the concerned elector detail box of the reprinted
mother roll in the marked copy.
➢ The marked copy of E-Roll contains an Ink signed certificate of RO/ARO on the top of it.
➢ Before commencement of poll the contesting candidates or their polling agents should be
demonstrated the details of the marked copy of E-roll as stated above.

CHALLENGED VOTES
➢ Any Polling Agent may challenge the identity of a voter by depositing a
sum of Rs. 2 with Presiding Officer.
➢ Presiding Officer to hold a summary enquiry unto the challenge in that
case after receipt of the money.
➢ The presiding Officer should warn the challenged voter as well as the
challenger about the consequences of impersonation. The onus lies on
both parties to prove their points / Identity.
➢ If after summary inquiry the challenge is not established, the elector
should be allowed to vote.
➢ If challenge is established the elector shall be debarred from voting and
shall be handed over to police with a written request by the Presiding
Officer (in Annexure-6) at the police station nearby.
➢ The name and address / Sl. No. of the challenged voter is to be entered
in the challenged vote list in Form-14 & the signature / thumb
impression of the voter be taken before he is allowed to vote. The fees
is forfeited in case of false allegation by the challenger and is returned
to him in case the allegation is established.

TENDERED VOTES
➢ It may happen that a person presents himself at the P.S. and seeks to vote representing
himself to be a particular elector and it is found that another person has already voted
as such elector.
➢ The Presiding Officer has to then satisfy himself about the identity of the elector
concerned by the help of polling agents and other Identity cards.
➢ If satisfied, he may allow such person to vote by means of a tendered ballot paper and
not by EVM.
➢ The R.O. shall provide additional 20 Ballot papers, to the Presiding Officer during
disbursement. The same ballot which is attached in the BU of EVMs is to be used as
tendered Ballots. In case any Polling Station needs more the R.O. may facilitate to
provide the same through sector officers.
➢ These Ballots are stamped or written at back side by Presiding Officer as Tendered
Ballots.
➢ A rubber seal with inked arrow or cross mark is also given to the voter along with the
Ballot paper to stamp his vote as done earlier before EVM use. He then hands over the
same to Presiding Officer , after stamping inside the Voting Compartment.
➢ Record of such electors and their signature is kept in form 17 B to keep an account of
tendered Ballot paper.

RELEVANT CONSTITUTIONAL PROVISIONS AND ELECTION LAWS OF
INDIA
• The superintendence, direction and control of preparation of Electoral Rolls for all elections to
Parliament and Legislature of every state is vested in EC – [ Article 324(1)].
• Provision of Electoral Roll for every territorial constituency and no person shall be ineligible
for inclusion on grounds of religion, race, caste or sex.- [ Article 325].
• Registration of voter. [ Article 326]
Relevant Election Laws, Rules and ECI instructions for preparation/
revision of Electoral Rolls and conduct of Elections in India:
❑The Representation of People Act, 1950
❑The Representation of People Act, 1951
❑The Registration of Electors Rules, 1960
❑Delimitation of Parliamentary & Assembly Constituencies Order, 2008
❑Conduct of Election Rules, 1961 [Ballot Paper system introduced]
❑The Representation of People (Amendment) Act, 1989
❑Conduct of Election (Amendment) Rule, 1992 [Introduction of EVM]
❑The Registration of Electors Amendment Rules, 2011
❑Conduct of Election (Amendment) Rule, 2013 [ Introduction of VVPAT]
NB:- EVM & VVPAT Manual and Status Paper of EVM pl be referred to.
For more detail, pl visit www.eci.nic.in

EXTRACT OF RULES FOR CONDUCT OF ELECTION
• Rule 49C : Arrangements at Polling station
• Rule 49D : Admission to Polling Station
• Rule 49E : Preparation of Voting machine for Poll.
• Rule 49F : Marked Copy of Electoral Roll
• Rule 49G : Facilities for women Electors
• Rule 49H : Identification of Elector
• Rule 49I : Facilities for public servant on election duty.(EDC in form 12-
B)
• Rule 49J : Challenging of identity (Form-14)
• Rule 49K : Safeguard against personation (application of indelible ink)
• Rule 49L : Procedure for voting by voting machine (Form- 17A)
• Rule 49M : Maintenance of Secrecy of Voting by elector (Sec-128)
• Rule 49 MA : Complaint about wrong printing of paper slip

EXTRACT OF RULES FOR CONDUCT OF ELECTION
• Rule 49N : Recording of votes of blind or infirm electors (14-A).
• Rule 49O : Elector deciding not to vote.
• Rule 49P : Tendered Vote (Form 17- B).
• Rule 49Q : PrO entry into voting compartment during Poll.
• Rule 49R : Closing of Poll at the hr fixed(Sec 56 of RP Act 1950).
• Rule 49S : Accounts of vote (Form- 17C).
• Rule 49T: Sealing of voting machine after poll.
• Rule 49U : Sealing of Statutory & Non-statutory packets.
• Rule 49V : Transmission of voting machine.
• Rule 49W : Procedure on adjournment of poll.
• Rule 49X : Closing of Voting machine in case of Booth capturing (offence
u/s 135A of RP Act 1950).
• Sec 61A of RP Act- Voting machine at election.

OVERSEA ELECTOR & CLASSIFIED SERVICE VOTER
• Under Section-20A of the Representation of the People Act, 1950, inserted vide Representation of the People
(Amendment) Act, 2010, which has come into force w.e.f. 10th February, 2011, every overseas elector, i.e., an
Indian citizen who is absenting from his place of ordinary residence in India owing to employment, education or
otherwise, and has not acquired citizenship of any other country and who is not included in the electoral roll, is
entitled to have his/her name registered in the electoral roll of the constituency in which his/her place of
residence in India as mentioned in his/her passport is located.
ENROLMENT OF SERVICE VOTERS
1. Service voter is a voter having service qualification. According to the provisions of sub-section (8) of Section 20
of Representation of the 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 of1950), 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.
2. Persons having a service qualification can get enrolled as ‘service voters’ at their native places even though they
actually may be residing at a different place (of posting). They have, however, an option to get themselves
enrolled as general elector at the place of their posting where they factually, at the point of time, are residing
ordinarily with their family with a sufficient span of time.
• 3 The wife of a service voter shall, if she is ordinarily residing with him, be also deemed to be a service voter in
the constituency specified by that person provided in case of Armed Force voter, a declaration in Form 2
(ANNEXURE 5.1) or 2A (ANNEXURE 5.2)that his wife ordinarily resides with him has to be made. This facility is
available only to the wife of a male service voter and is not available to the husband of a female service voter.

SEALING OF PACKETS
A. Statutory cover- (5 items) (Green Cover).
i) MCER, ii) 17-A, iii) Voter Slip, iv) unused Tender Ballot, v) used Tender ballot & 17-B form.
B. Non-Statutory-[11 items] (Yellow cover).
i) Other copies of ER, ii) From no- 10, iii) Form 12-B (EDC), iv) Form No 14, v) Form No 14A,
vi) Elector minor age declaration, vii) Receipt Book,
viii) unused & damaged paper seal, ix) unused voter slip, x) un-used & damaged special
tag, xi) un-used/ damaged stripe seal.
C. Packet-III- (7 items) (Brown Cover).
Handbook of PrO, EVM Manual, Indelible ink, Stamp pad, Brass Seal, Cross mark Seal, Cup
for setting of indelible ink.
D. Packet-IV- (Blue Cover).
(i) Un-used canvas bag/ cloth, (ii) Cover containing any other paper like 16- point form for
observer, sealed Plastic box containing mock poll slips [iii] Any other items.
NB:- If any such cover is not applicable in a PS, than the cover must be sealed with Nil report in
cover, so that there will be no confusion at receiving centre.

ADEQUATE KNOWLEDGE ON SPECIAL CIRCUMSTANCES
& ITS RESPONSES AT POLLING STATION
• In case of defect of BU, CU, VVPAT before Mock Poll, the only defective unit should be
replaced.
• In case of defect of BU/ CU during Poll, whole set of EVM including VVPAT will be replaced.
Subsequent Mock Poll have to do with 1 vote to each of the candidates including NOTA.
• In case defect of VVPAT for error code -2 on VSDU during Poll or for not cutting of Paper by
VSDU, only VVPAT will be Replaced and No subsequent Mock Poll. In case of VSDU error
code-1, only Battery of VVPAT will be replaced.
• Remember:- The Replacement of Battery of VVPAT or Replacement of VVPAT or
Replacement of EVM should be made on Switch off condition of CU only.
• In case of complaint received regarding wrong print on VVPAT(u/r 49MA), PrO has to aware
him/her about its consequences if found to be false. Then after he/she agrees, he/she has to
sign declaration u/r 49MA. Then she will be allowed again to Test Vote which will be recorded
in presence of PrO and PAs & observe the paper slip. In case of allegation found false, made
Second entry in 17A remark as Test Vote and to whom favour vote has been casted and
obtain signature of the complainant and hand over him/her to Police. If it is found true, stop
polling and inform RO.

ADEQUATE KNOWLEDGE ON SPECIAL CIRCUMSTANCES & ITS
RESPONSES AT POLLING STATION
• In case of Voter from ASD List, PrO to verify personally and ask him to produce EPIC or
permitted Photo Identity document. If found genuine, allow him after obtaining
signature and LTI in 17A and maintain a record & give a certificate at the end of the poll
about electors allowed from ASD List.
• In case of Challenged Vote, PrO has to hold a Summary Enquiry. If Challenge established,
the elector will be debarred and handed over to police & Challenge fees of Rs 2/- will be
refunded. In case of not established, the elector will be allowed to vote as per due
process and fees will be forfeited.

ADEQUATE KNOWLEDGE ON SPECIAL CIRCUMSTANCES & ITS
RESPONSES AT POLLING STATION
• In case the PrO consider an elector much below the qualifying age, inform him/ her about
the panel provision, obtain a declaration and allowed to vote. Then PrO will prepare a list in
Part-I. If the elector refused to submit the declaration, Part- II will be prepared.
• After signature of the elector in 17A, if he wants not to vote, he should not be forced.
Mention “refused to vote” in remarks of 17A and the next elector should be allowed in due
procedure. (U/r 49-O)
• After satisfaction of identity, he will be allowed through Tender ballot paper but not through
the EVM. Tender paper accounts should be kept and Record such elector in 17-B which will
be sealed under statutory cover.
• In case of Proxy Voter for Service Voter, Indelible ink will be given in the Left hand Middle
finger.
• In case of Companion for blind/ infirm voter, a declaration will be obtained as he will not be
companion for more than one elector. In such case indelible ink will be given to the elector in
his Left hand forefinger and also to the companion to the Right hand Index Finger.(U/r-49N)

CRITICAL ERRORS OF M2 EVM SHOWN IN THE DISPLAY OF
CU
• Candidate 16- Indicates that EVM set for 16 candidates
• Invalid – No proper sequence (C-R-C)
• “……..” – Battery is week
• Battery Low- Indicates Low battery
• Sl No E00001- Sl. No of the CU
• PST & PET – Poll start Time & Poll End Time
• PRT- Poll result and Date
• Clock Error- Malfunctioning of Real time Clock (CU must be replaced)
• Error- CU cannot be used further
• Pressed Error- Any candidate button jammed
• Link Error- Connection of cable is not in proper sequence
• CU Error- CU should be changed
• BU Error-1- BU-I should be changed
• Full- Maximum no votes for machine is designed
• End- Indicates end of display sequence after clear or result button
• Computing Result- The result is getting computed.

LET’S KNOW THE EVM & VVPAT
• EVM comprising of two units i.e. Ballot Unit (BU) and Control Unit (CU).
• We are going to conduct the poll in M2 EVM which cater 4 BUs i.e for 64 candidates including NOTA (16
candidates per BU).
• The Maximum poll record capacity of M2 CU is 2000.
• For paper verification of casting of votes by the elector, a printer named VVPAT (Voter Verifiable Paper
Audit Trail) is used in the EVM.
• The printer will print the vote slip and display the same for 7 Seconds and will be dropped on drop box.
Voter can see the slip but cannot take to his home. The voter slip contains Sl No, name of the Voter and
Symbol of the Party.
• VVPAT Paper Roll can print max of 1500 slips.
• M2 VVPAT has two components ie- Printer and VSDU
• VSDU displays error status of VVPAT
• In case of Error-1 of VSDU, Battery pack of VVPAT will be replaced.
• In case of Error-2 of VSDU, VVPAT will be replaced.
• VVPAT has knob in his back which should be in horizontal position while on transportation and made to
vertical before connection with CU.
NB:- The Polling parties shall strictly be instructed not to test VVPAT at the time of dispersal and before
mock poll at polling station under any circumstances, as VVPATs issued are already checked & Tested.

LET’S KNOW THE EVM
• The error of EVM shows in the display of CU.
• In M3 EVM, the error of VVPAT also displays in CU. There is no VSDU in M3. M3 EVM
caters 384 candidates i.e. 24 BUs.
• Always connect the EVM & VVPAT in switch of mode of CU.
• Connect the cable with Colour Code. Insert the cable holding base of the cable. At the
time of removing cable, press the side clips with finger and gently pull to remove.
• Connect VSDU and BU in the connector compartment of VVPAT in Colour code( i.e. Black
& Red latches with BU and Blue & Green with VSDU) and the VVPAT cable with CU.
Unlock the VVPAT before Switch on the CU.
• Always apply C- R- C Formula to make the CU ready for Poll. ( Close- Result- Clear)
• The Sl No of BU, CU with name of the PS should be checked before proceed to polling
station.
• It should be ensured that no seal should be damaged.
• In case of battery low in CU/ CU clock error/ CU Error/ BU Error, it should be replaced at
the dispersal centre.
• After checking and also close of poll before packing, don’t forget to switch off the CU.

Control Unit
Interconnecting Cable
Ballot Unit
SUB-UNITS OF EVM

BALLOT UNIT - DETAILS
Ready Lamp
Slide Switch Window
Candidate’s Button
Candidate’s Lamp
Ballot Paper Screen

BALLOT UNIT - INTERNAL PARTS
Slide Switch
Candidate’s Button
Masking Tab
Ready Lamp

CONTROL UNIT
ON Lamp Busy Lamp
Display Section
Candidate Set Section
Result Section
Ballot Section
Ballot Button
Total Button

CONTROL UNIT - VIEW OF BOTTOM
COMPARTMENT
Power Switch
Bottom Compartment
Cover
Connector for
Interconnecting Cable
Connector for
Auxiliary Unit

CONTROL UNIT - DISPLAY SECTION
4-Digit
Display Panel
ON Lamp
2-Digit
Display Panel
Busy Lamp

CONTROL UNIT - CANDIDATE SET SECTION
Provision for
thread seal
Latch
Plug for
power pack
Candidate set
button
Candidate set section
inner door
Candidate set section
outer door
Provision for
Thread seal
Power pack
compartment

CONTROL UNIT - RESULT SECTION
Result I
button
Inner
latches
Frames for
Paper seal
Clear button
Result II
button
Close
button

CONTROL UNIT - BALLOT SECTION
Total button
Ballot button

VVPAT
VVPAT- allows the voters to verify that
their votes are cast as intended.

MOCK POLL- “NO MOCK POLL, NO POLL”
• Start Mock poll 1 Hour before commencement of Actual Poll time in Presence of PAs.
Wait for 15 Mins and Conduct Mock Poll in presence of Polling Officer, if PAs not present
at PS at right time.
• Press clear on CU, It will show 0 for all candidates
• Show VVPAT drop Box that it is empty
• One Polling Officer with Polling agent to be present in voting compartment
• At least 50 numbers of votes must be casted with one vote for every unmasked button
• Press Close Button, then Result Button.
• Empty VVPAT paper slip Compartment.
• Compare CU result and VVPAT paper slips.
• Press Clear Button on CU and show Total Zero.
• Seal VVPAT Drop box , CU Result Section with special Tag, Green Paper Slip and Stripe
Seal
• Sign Mock Poll Certificate & obtain Signature of PAs
• Declare about the Secrecy of Voting & obtain signature
• Declare about the Start of Poll, Record PST and obtain Sign of PAs in the declaration
Form.
• SO will collect the information about Mock Poll certificate on 1 hr of the Poll.

CONDUCTING MOCK POLL
Open “Result
Section” outer
door and then
the inner door
1 2
34

Conducting Mock Poll Press CLEAR
Button to show
to the Polling
agents present
that there are
no votes polled.

Conducting Mock Poll
Press BALLOT button on
Control Unit. On pressing
Busy lamp in display section
it will glow red,
simultaneously the Ready
lamp on the ballot unit will
also glow green candidate in
Balloting Unit
Ask Polling Agents to cast
one/ equal no. of votes for
any of the candidates and
request to remember whom
they voted

Ensure that result shows according to the number
of votes cast in favor of the concerned candidates

Close the Mock Poll by
pressing Close button in
Control Unit
Press Ballotbutton in
Control Unit to show NO
vote can be recorded
further after the Close
button is pressed.
Invalidmessage is
displayed

Press
Result
and show the
Mock Poll
result

Press
Ballot
Button
Candida
te’s Blue
Button
Press
Total
Button
Close
Butto
n
Busy
Lamp
Ready
Lamp
Red Green
Polling Agent
Press
Ready
Button
Candidate
Lamp
REDOFF
Beep
Sound
Verify
total
Votes
recorded
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.

Ballot
Ensure that equal
number of votes
are polled for all
candidates
Close
Result
Clear
Switch off
Seal
2
3
4
5
6
7

CLOSING AND SEALING OF CONTROL UNIT
After the Close of
POLL, remove the cap
on Close button in
the Control Unit.

and place
Press the
button as shown.
Poll is closed
The Control unit
displays total no. of
votes recorded.
Fix the cap back in it

Open the bottom
compartment of the Control
Unit and Switch OFF Power
and disconnect the
interconnecting cable
Pack the Control unit (with
the Strip seal) and Balloting
Unit in their carrying cases

Seal the carrying
cases and fix
address tags.

“Election to the ………… from
……….constituency Control Unit
No. ……….
Current ID No.
SI. No. and Name of Polling
Station …………………..
Date of Poll ………………………….
Address tag with
sealing thread
Green Paper
seal for sealing
Result and Print
windows
Front
Rear

Front Rear
Special tag for
sealing Result section
inner compartment
Outer Paper
Strip Seal
(23.5” X 1”)
A B D
Upper
Side
CLower
Side
Pre-gummed portion with wax paper

Insert the Green
Paper seal in the
frames provided for
both Result

Close the Result Section
inner compartment
door with the Green
paper seal protruding
outside

Close the Result
Section door
such that the
Green paper seal
protrudes
outside and Seal
the door along
with the Address
tags

Keep the Strip Seal
with pre-gummed
portion ‘A’ near
the base of the
Green Paper Seal
protruding from
the lower end of
the door.
Remove the wax
paper covering ‘A’
and paste the
lower layer of
Green Paper Seal.
A B D

Remove wax
paper covering
‘B’ and paste it
above the upper
layer of the Green
Paper Seal.

After pasting ‘B’,
the pre-gummed
portion ‘C’ will be
on top. Remove wax
paper over ‘C’

Press both the layers
of Green Paper Seal
protruding from the
top and paste the
upper layer by
pressing it on ‘C’

Wrap the Strip Seal
round the Control Unit
from left side just
(anti-clockwise) below
the CLOSE button
window

Now the Strip
Seal is finally
fixed.
Note that the
Strip seal does
not cover CLOSE
button Flap.

After CLOSING the Poll,
place the Control Unit
and Balloting Unit in
their carrying cases,
close and seal with the
Address tag

Method of sealing control unit with strip seal
• Before the commencement of the actual poll, conduct a mock poll.
• After conducting mock poll and showing the result, clear the control unit of the
data by operating “Clear” button.
• After clearing the data switch off the control unit and then
insert the green paper seal
• After inserting the green paper seals, the inner door above the result buttons shall
be closed.
• Then the inner door of the result section shall be sealed off with the special tag.
• After fixing the special tag, close the outer door of the result section
• Then seal the outer door with thread and address tag.
• Fix the strip seal around the control unit to seal the result section from outside
completely
• Before the strip seal is fixed affix your signature in full immediately below the serial
number and get signature of Polling agent/ contesting candidates
• The strip seal shall, then, be positioned just below rubber cap covering the “CLOSE”
button. NB:- PrO has right to Seal the EVM and VVPAT but does not
have right to de-seal the EVM & VVPAT.

Method of sealing control unit with strip seal
Conduct
Mock
Poll
Switch
OFF
Control
Unit
Green
Paper
Seal
Inner
Door
Inner
Door of
Result
Section
Sign on
strip
seal
control
Unit
Position
strip
seal
below
Rubber
Cap
Clear
Results
Fix Special
Tag
Insert Close
Seal
Fix strip seal
around
Seal outer
door with
Thread and
Address Tag

Important precautions while sealing with strip seal:
• While fixing strip seal, ensure the rubber cap covering the “CLOSE”
button is left clear and there is no difficulty in removing the rubber cap
and operating that ‘CLOSE’ button.
• The strip seal shall be fixed tight and not loose.
• DAMAGED STRIPS HAVE NOT TO BE USED IN ANY CIRCUMSTANCES.
• Each polling station will be supplied with four (4) strip seals.
• Account for each strip seal supplied to the polling station for the conduct
of poll in the Presiding Officers’ Diary.
• Return every strip seal that has not been used (including the
strips (or pieces thereof) damaged accidentally)
• Strip seals are always kept in safe custody

FAQS ON EVM & VVPAT
Q1. What is an Electronic Voting machine? In what way its functioning is different from the
conventional system of voting?
Ans. An Electronic Voting Machine consists of two Units – a Control Unit and a Balloting Unit – joined by a cable.
The Control Unit is with the Presiding Officer or a Polling Officer and the Balloting Unit is placed inside the
voting compartment. Instead of issuing a ballot paper, the Polling Officer in-charge of the Control Unit will press
the Ballot Button. This will enable the voter to cast his vote by pressing the blue button on the Balloting Unit
against the candidate and symbol of his choice.
Q2. Can EVMs be used in areas where there is no electricity?
Ans. EVMs run on an ordinary 6 volt alkaline battery therefore, even in areas with no power connections, EVMs
can be used.
Q3. What is the maximum number of votes which can be cast in EVMs?
Ans. M2 EVMs can record a maximum of 2000 votes. As normally, the total number of electors in a polling
station will not exceed 1400, the capacity of EVMs is more than sufficient.
Q4. What is the maximum number of candidates which EVMs can cater to?
Ans. EVMs can cater to a maximum number of 64 candidates. There is provision for 16 candidates in a Balloting
Unit. If the total number of candidates exceeds 16, upto three additional Balloting Units can be attached to
cater to a maximum number of 64 candidates.
Q5. Who has devised the EVMs?
Ans. The EVMs have been devised and designed by Election Commission in collaboration with two Public Sector
undertakings viz., Bharat Electronics Ltd., Bangalore and Electronic Corporation of India Ltd., Hyderabad after a
series of meetings, test-checking of the prototypes and extensive field trials. The EVMs are now manufactured
by the above two undertakings.

Q6. In our country a sizeable section of the population being illiterate, will EVM not cause
problems for the illiterate voters?
Ans. In fact, voting by EVMs is simpler compared to the conventional system, where one has
to put the voting mark on or near the symbol of the candidate of his choice, fold it first
vertically and then horizontally and thereafter put it into the ballot box. In EVMs, the voter
has to simply press the blue button against the candidate and symbol of his choice and the
vote is recorded. Even illiterate people have had no difficulty in recording their votes and, in
fact they have welcomed the use of EVMs.
Q7. Can booth-capturing be prevented by the use of EVMs?
Ans. By booth-capturing, if one means, taking away or damaging of ballot boxes or ballot
papers, this evil cannot be prevented by the use of EVMs as EVMs can also be forcibly taken
away or damaged by miscreants. But if one looks at booth capturing as a case of miscreants
intimidating the polling personnel and stamping the ballot papers on the symbol and
escaping in a matter of minutes, this can be prevented by the use of EVMs. The EVMs are
programmed in such a way that the machines will record only five votes in a minute. As
recording of votes has necessarily to be through Control Unit and Balloting Unit, whatever be
the number of miscreants they can record vote only at the rate of 5 per minute. In the case
of ballot papers, the miscreants can distribute all the 1000 odd ballot papers assigned to a
polling station, among themselves, stamp them, stuff them into the ballot boxes and run
away before the police reinforcements reach. In half- an –hour, the miscreants can record
only a maximum of 150 votes by which time, chances are the police reinforcement would
have arrived. Further, the presiding Officer or one of the Polling Officers can always press the
"close" button as soon as they see some intruders inside the polling station. It will not be
possible to record any vote when once the ‘close’ button is pressed and this will frustrate the
efforts of the booth-capturers.

Q8. What are the advantages in using EVMs?
Ans. The most important advantage is that the printing of millions of ballot papers can be dispensed
with, as only one ballot paper is required for fixing on the Balloting Unit at each polling station instead of
one ballot paper for each individual elector. This results in huge savings by way of cost of paper, printing,
transportation, storage and distribution. Secondly, counting is very quick and the result can be declared
within 2 to 3 hours as compared to 30-40 hours, on an average, under the conventional system. Thirdly,
there are no invalid votes under the system of voting under EVMs. The importance of this will be better
appreciated, if it is remembered that in every General Election, the number of invalid votes is more than
the winning margin between the winning candidate and the second candidate, in a number of
constituencies. To this extent, the choice of the electorate will be more correctly reflected when EVMs
are used.
Q9. Does the use of EVMs slow down the pace of poll?
Ans. No. In fact the pace of poll is quickened by the use of EVMs as it is not necessary for the voter to
first unfold the ballot paper, mark his preference, fold it again, go to the place where the ballot box is
kept and drop it in the box. What he has to do under the system of EVMs is simply to press the button
near the candidate and symbol of his choice.
Q10. Is it possible to vote more than once by pressing the button again and again?
Ans. No. As soon as a particular button on the Balloting Unit is pressed, the vote is recorded for that
particular candidate and the machine gets locked. Even if one presses that button further or any other
button, no further vote will be recorded. This way the EVMs ensure the principle of "one man, one vote".
Q11. Is it true that sometimes because of short-circuitry or other reason, a voter is likely to get
an electric shock while pressing the blue button ?
Ans. No. EVMs work on a 6-volt battery and there is absolutely no chance of any voter getting an electric
shock at the time of pressing the `blue button’ or at any time of handling the balloting unit.

DO’S & DON’TS ON USE OF VVPAT
DO’S DON’TS
Ensure paper roll knob is locked (horizontal
position) before transportation.
In Polling Station, unlock the paper roll knob
(vertical position).
Don’t switch ON CU before VVPAT paper roll
knob is in unlocked condition (vertical
position).
Position BU and VVPAT in Voting
Compartment.
Position CU and VSDU on PO’s Table
Establish right connection by following the
color scheme.
Don’t allow direct light or high power
illumination over VVPAT.
Ensure the connectors are inserted
properly.
Don’t insert/remove cables without
pressing the clips on the connectors.
Switch ‘ON’ CU, the Power-On Green LED
on VVPAT glows and VVPAT prints all 7
slips.
Don’t switch OFF CU unless all 7 slips are
printed and cut.
Check for any “PRINTER ERROR” message
on VSDU. Inform Sectoral Officer (SO) in
such case.
Don’t start polling in case of “PRINTER
ERROR” message on VSDU.
Always switch OFF CU before making any
connection or disconnection including
change of battery.
Don’t operate the paper roll knob till the
end of the poll.
NOTE: In M3 VVPAT there is no VSDU. VVPAT related messages are displayed on the
CU’s Display.

DOs
DISPERSAL DAY – DISPERSAL CENTRE
Check & match the serial number Ballot Unit
& Control Unit upon receiving the same.
Switch on the BU and CU and check if the
battery is OK and the display is working.
Verify the number of candidates shown in
CU display is same as the ballot paper in BU
Ensure that all machines have a Pink Paper
Seal as a mark of having undergone the First
Level Check. If the machine does not have
Pink Paper Seal, return it immediately and
get replacement.
Check the Ballot unit has the correct Ballot
Paper fixed and the slide switch has been set
at the correct serial number depending on
the number of Ballot Units to be used for the
poll.
Ensure that the Date, Time and other details
in the CU are correct
Switch off the CU after checking the
machines and keep it safely in carrying case.
Verify all Statutory and Non-Statutory
covers and forms are available.
Always ensure that while connecting the
Control Unit, Ballot Unit and VVPAT, all the
machines should be in switch off mode and
should be switched on only after
connections have been made.
EVMS – DO’S – DISPERSAL DAY

EVMS – DO’S – UPON ARRIVAL AT POLLING BOOTH
DISPERSAL DAY – ARRIVAL AT POLLING STATION
Check availability of basic furniture
necessary to conduct poll. If unavailable,
contact Sector Officer immediately and
ensure its provision.
Plan the layout of Polling Station as per the
diagram given in Hand-book of Presiding
Officer
Ensure proper positioning of the Voting
Compartment, Control Unit and layout of
connecting cables, so that the voter does
not step on the cables in any manner.
Ensure placement of Voting Compartment
such that there is no Light Point overhead
the voting compartment. VVPAT machines
should not be placed directly under any light
source of sunlight.
Close any windows which are near voting
compartment which can compromise the
secrecy of voting. This is also needed to
ensure no direct sunlight falls on VVPAT.

EVMS – DO’S – POLL DAY ….. (1)
POLL DAY
Start your day early. Ensure you are ready in
all respects by 6 AM. Verify appointment
letters of Polling Agents and prepare for
Mock Poll
Connect the EVMs at least one hour before
poll and conduct Mock Poll as per
instructions well in advance.
Count votes of Mock Poll in CU and also the
slips in the VVPAT machine. Votes must be
counted in both and matched.
Press Clear Button in the Control Unit after
the mock poll and before preparing the
machine for actual poll.
Remove the printed slips of Mock Poll votes
in the VVPAT and thereafter seal the slip
compartment for taking actual poll.
Always ensure that while connecting the
Control Unit, Ballot Unit and VVPAT, all the
machines should be in switch off mode and
should be switched on only after
connections have been made.
In case the EVM (BU/CU) is to be
disconnected with the VVPAT, it must be
ensured that the CU is in switched off mode
before any disconnection.
Check the total votes polled in the CU at
regular intervals, definitely every one hour
and match it with 17A (Register of Voters)

EVMS – DO’S – POLL DAY ….. (2)
POLL DAY
In case the VVPAT shows any type of
ERROR, refer to the handbook and see if
this can be sorted out. In case of any
problem, ensure you enter the voting
compartment with all the Polling agents
and NOT ALONE !!Do not try to open the
VVPAT or make any changes in it. If it does
not work and shows error mode, contact
Sector Officer immediately and get the
machine replaced.
In case the VVPAT does not work and
shows any error, only the VVPAT must be
changed and not the BU and CU.
If the CU or BU shows any error, all the
three machines viz. the CU, BU and the
VVPAT must be changed.
At the close of Poll, ENSURE TO PRESS THE
CLOSE BUTTON !!
FAILURE TO PRESS CLOSE BUTTON CAN
HAVE SERIOUS RAMIFICATIONS !!
SWITCH OFF THE CONTROL UNIT AND
VVPAT AFTER CLOSE OF POLL.IF NOT,
BATTERY WILL DRAIN OUT AND MAKE IT
DIFFICULT DURING COUNTING OF VOTES.

EVMS – DON’TS – ….. (1)
DONTs
DO NOT … REPEAT … DO NOTOPEN THE
CARRYING CASE OF VVPAT AND DO NOT
SWITCH ON THE VVPAT
Do not expose the VVPAT machine to any
form of high intensity light or Direct sun-
light. Any direct high intensity light is likely
to make the sensor go into error mode.
Do not damage the Pink Paper Sealof any
of the machines. If damaged, the machines
are no more fit for Poll !!
After checking the machines, DO NOT
LEAVE THE POWER SWITCH IN ON MODE
… THIS WILL DRAIN THE BATTERY !!!

EVMS – DON’TS – ….. (1)
DONTs
Do not locate the Voting Compartment with
any overhead light pointor near any open
window.
In case of any error in the VVPAT do not try
to open the machine.
If there is any problem in the BU or CU, do
not confine replacement only to that
machine. Remember!!! If Bu or CU has a
problem, all three viz. BU, CU and VVPAT
must be replaced.
If there is any problem in VVPAT, CHANGE
ONLY THE VVPAT AND NOT ALL MACHINES
!!
DO NOT CONDUCT ANY MOCK POLL in case
only the VVPAT is replaced.
DO NOT ENTER THE VOTING
COMPARTMENT TO CHECK THE BU OR
VVPAT WITHOUT BEING ACCOMPANIED
WITH ALL THE POLLING AGENTS.
Do not leave the Receipt Centre without
handing over the EVMs and VVPATs along-
with all Statutory and Non-Statutory Covers.
Do not leave the EVM open after the closure
of Poll. DO NOT allow any voter to vote after
the close of poll and ensure to Press the
close button after close of poll and before
sealing of the EVMs.

VOTER SLIP
White Colour slip for Parliamentary constituency
Pink Colour slip for Assembly constituency
Sample copy of voter slip
Voter’ slip
Serial Number of Elector as per
Column 1 of the Register of Voters
…………………… Serial Number of Elector
Serial Number of Elector as entered
………… in the electoral roll.
Initials of Polling Officer
Voter’ slip
Serial Number of Elector as per Column
1 of the Register of Voters ……………………
Serial Number of Elector
Serial Number of Elector as entered
………… in the electoral roll.
Initials of Polling Officer

HELP DESK FOR VOTERS
• This year of Election is Accessible Election-2019.
• As per Instruction of the ECI, there shall be help desk outside of the polling
station in which BLO shall be the officer in-charge of the Desk to provide
necessary assistance to the voters especially PWD voters.
• His prime responsibility will be provide assistance to identify the Part No, Sl No
of the Electoral roll of the voter, so that the voter will enable adopt his
franchise without any difficulties.
• He will also make necessary arrangement at PS to provide Assured Minimum
facilities (AMF).
• The extended Minimum facilities (EMF) be provided at PS as far as practicable.
• He will also provide support to the polling personnel at their arrival as well as
during the course of polling if desires by the PrO.
• He will be intimate the PWD voters identified at the PS and make arrangement
to bring the said voter to the Booth to cast his vote without any barrier.
• Barrier free environment should developed at the Booth.
• Etiquettes towards PWD voters should be maintained.

MOCK POLL CERTIFICATE
CEO Odisha

MOCK POLL CERTIFICATE …… CONTD…

SAMPLE COPIES OF ESSENTIAL FORMS USED AT PS

SAMPLE COPIES OF ESSENTIAL FORMS USED AT
PS
Sample copies of Essential Forms used at PS

TRAINING OF POLLING PERSONNEL

Recomendados

Recomendados

Mais conteúdo relacionado

Mais procurados

Mais procurados (20)

Semelhante a TRAINING OF POLLING PERSONNEL

Semelhante a TRAINING OF POLLING PERSONNEL (20)

Mais de CHARAK RAY

Mais de CHARAK RAY (20)

Último

Último (20)

TRAINING OF POLLING PERSONNEL