BRIEF GUIDELINES FOR THE PRESIDING OFFICERS/ POLLING OFFICERS !!!

தேர்தல் நடத்தும் அலுவர்கள் அனைவரும் அறிந்திருக்க வேண்டியவை  !!!

1.1 Maintain close relation with members of your Polling Party.

1.2 Unless there is team work, your task becomes more difficult.

2.1 Ensure that all the Polling materials have been given to you.

2.2 Check-up ballot papers, Ballot box, marked copies of electoral roll, arrow cross mark rubber stamp for voting, paper seal, sealing wax, indelible ink, distinguishing mark stamp, etc.


2.3 Compare marked copies of Electoral Roll and see that both are identical and see that marked copies of Electoral Rolls contain no mark other than PB and EDC.

2.4 See that deletions of names and corrections as per supplement have been incorporated.

2.5 All papers of working copies of Roll are serially numbered in manuscript.

2.6 Printed serial numbers of voters are not corrected and no new number substituted.

3.1 Arrive at least 45 minutes before Poll at the Polling Station.

3.2 Set up Polling Station as per model Remember there will be 3/4 polling officers in a single election and 5 polling officers in a simultaneous election.

3.3 Ensure separate entrance and exit for voters at Polling Station.

4.1 On the day of Poll, display outside your Polling Station.

4.2 A notice specifying the Polling area.

4.3 A copy of the list of contesting candidates.

5.1 Appoint a Polling Officer locally, if any Polling Officer is absent.

6.1 Start preparation of Ballot Box at least 15 minutes before Poll.

6.2 Put inside the Box an Address Tag duly filled.

6.3 Address Tag outside the Box will show the Serial number of Box and the total number of Ballot Boxes used.

6.4 Put the distinguishing mark seal on the green background of paper seal. Put a dash and then add the serial number of Box.

6.5 Take signatures of Polling agents and put your signature on white surface of paper seal.

6.6 Insert paper seal in the Box so that distinguishing mark seal is visible through the window of Box.

6.7 Allow every candidate or his agent to take note of serial numbers of paper seal.

6.8 Address Tag outside the Box should show the serial number of the Box and the total number of Box/Boxes used.

6.9 One Ballot Box should be used at a time.

7.1 Sign your name in full on back of Ballot paper but not on Counterfoil.

7.2 Affix distinguishing mark seal on back of Ballot paper and its Counterfoil, at top right hand corner.

7.3 Do not issue Ballot paper to Electors in consecutive serial order.

7.4 Shuffle three or four bundles of Ballot paper and use bundles at random.

7.5 Obtain signature or thumb impression of voters on the Counterfoil of Ballot paper and then only issue Ballot paper.

7.6 Do not issue Ballot paper unless signature or thumb impression is given by Elector.

7.7 Allow Polling agents to see the bundles of ballot papers and note the first and last serial number of Ballot paper and also the serial number of defective Ballot paper.

8.1 Sign and read out declaration at the commencement of Poll. Make separate declarations for parliamentary and assembly election.

8.2 Make declaration again for use of subsequent box/boxes.

9.1 Commence the Poll at the Stroke of hour fixed for the purpose.

10.1 The duties of polling officers in a single election where there are 3/4 polling officers and in a simultaneous election when there are 5 polling officers are as under:                    Single Election-3 Polling Officers

10.2 The first polling officers will have the marked copy of the electoral roll for the assembly election and will identify the electors.

10.3 The second polling officer will have the indelible ink and the bundle of ballot papers. He will enter the part number and serial number of the elector on the counterfoil of the ballot paper, obtain the signature/thumb impression of the voter on the counterfoil, apply the indelible ink on the forefinger of the elector and issue the ballot paper.

10.4 The third polling officer will fold the ballot paper first vertically and then horizontally, then unfold it and hand it over to the elector. He will also give to the elector an inked rubber stamp.

Single Election-4 Polling Officers

10.5 The first polling officer will have the marked copy of electoral roll and will identify the elector.

10.6 Second polling officer will apply the indelible ink.

10.7 The third polling officer will note down the part number and serial number of the elector and obtain the signature/thumb impression of the elector on the Counterfoil and issue the ballot paper.

10.8 The fourth polling officer will first fold the ballot paper vertically and then horizontally and after unfolding it give to the voter. He will also give the inked rubber stamp.

Simultaneous Election-5 Polling Officers

10.9 The first polling officer will have the marked copy of the electoral roll for Assembly Elections and will identify the electors.

10.10 The second polling officer will apply the indelible ink.

10.11 The third polling officer will have the bundles of assembly ballot papers. He will note down the part number and serial number of the elector on the counterfoil of the ballot paper and obtain the signature/thumb impression of the elector on the counterfoil. He will also issue the ballot paper to the voter.

10.12 The fourth polling officer will have the bundles of Parliamentary ballot papers and the marked copy of the electoral rolls for parliamentary elections. He will note down the serial number and part number of the elector. After obtaining the signature or thumb impression, he will issue the ballot paper.

10.13 The fifth polling officer will take both the ballot papers from the voter and after folding them first vertically and then horizontally and thereafter unfolding them, will give them one after the other to the elector. He will also give the inked rubber stamp.

11.1 Do not entertain any challenge unless the challenger pays challenge fee of two rupees in Cash.

12.1 Obtain required declaration from the companion of blind and infirm voter.

13.1 If you consider an elector to be much below the voting age i.e. 18 years but otherwise satisfied about his identity, obtain a declaration from him about his age.

14.1 Tendered ballot paper should be serially the last in the bundle of ballot papers supplied to you.

14.2 Write "tendered ballot paper" on the back of ballot paper and its counterfoil in your own hand and sign.

14.3 Tendered ballot paper not to be put in Ballot Box.

14.4 Put tendered Ballot papers and list thereof in a separate cover.

15.1 Distribute slips to all electors standing in queue before closing hours of Poll, starting the operation from the end of the queue.

16.1 Maintain secrecy of voting.

17.1 Allow only one Polling Agent of a candidate inside the Polling Station at any given time.

18.1 Ensure free and fair Poll.

19.1 Show due courtesy and regard to the observer appointed by the Commission and furnish him all information required by him.

20.1 Canvassing within one hundred metres of the Polling Station is an offence.

21.1 Smoking inside Polling Station is prohibited.

22.1 Clerical and printed errors in the Roll to be overlooked.

23.1 Eligibility of a voter not be questioned.

24.1 Make declaration at the end of the Poll.

25.1 Give attested copies of the Ballot paper account to the Polling agents.

26.1 After the election is over; pack and seal the election papers and materials.

26.2 Remember, you will hand over 15 (fifteen) items of election materials at the collection centre.

26.3 You will put the packets and other materials in four separate packets.

26.4 The first sealed packet of "Statutory Covers" should contain 7 (seven) sealed covers.

26.5 The second packet of "Non-Statutory Covers" should contain 8 (eight) covers.

26.6 The third packet should contain 8 (eight) items.

26.7 All other items should be packed into the fourth packet.

26.8 Deliver the Boxes, Election papers and materials at the collection centre promptly after the Poll, without any delay.

27.1 Follow the instructions contained in the Hand Book for Presiding Officer so as to ensure the smooth conduct of Election.