2. STAGES OF ACTION BY PrO/PO
1) ON APPOINTMENT.
2) A DAY BEFORE POLL.
3) ON THE DAY OF POLL.
4) DURING THE POLL HOURS.
5) CLOSE OF POLL.
3. ACTIONS ON DAY BEFORE POLL
1. Collect all the Poll material/Kit from the
Returning Officer (RO).
2. Collect the copy of Electoral Roll of your Polling
Station.
3. Familiarize yourself with the item of the polling
material.
4. Go through the Handbook of Pr Officer
5. Check the Electoral Roll to ensure that all
Supplimentaries are attached. Deletion &
modifications are reflected in the Mother Roll by
the word ‘Deleted’ diagonally & ‘#’ sign
respectively in RED INK against the respective
entry.
4. Important Things
Polling in Delhi on 4th December 2022
Time of Poll 8. am to 5.30 pm
Reach Polling Station by 5.30 AM
Receive EVMs and other material from Sector Officer
by 6.00 AM
Setup the Polling Station by 7.00 AM
Start Mock Poll by 7.00 AM, if minimum 2 Polling
Agents are present, otherwise inform Sector Officer
and wait upto 7.15 am
Start Mock Poll at 7.15 am with such polling agents
who are present
In case no polling agents are present, the Polling
Officers may poll mock votes but Mock Poll is must
5. ACTIONS ON THE POLL DAY
Reach polling station at least 2.5 hours before the poll is due
to commence to be able to complete mandatory formalities
like Mock Poll
Display prominently out side the Polling Booth:
a) Notice specifying the Polling Area & the number of
electors assigned.
b) A list of contesting candidate in Form -7.
c) Information related to Polling Station Number Male,
Female lines etc outside the PS
d) Paste/Display any other instruction as required
Also paste Placards of Pr O, PO-1, PO 2, PO 3, Polling Agents
inside the Polling Station
6. Setting up of Polling Station
Setup Polling Station as per model layout as far as
practicable.
Make sure that the Voters coming to vote do not
inter mingle with the voters going out after casting
their vote
Upon entering, voter’s face should be visible to the
Polling Officer -1, as well as, to the Presiding
Officer and the Polling Agents
Voting compartment should not be positioned
near window / door. Cover windows with paper, if
so required .
PO-3 handles the Control Unit, so he should be
seated next to the Voting Compartment
8. Checking /C0llecting Appointment Orders
of the Polling Agent
The Polling Agents will be the first to arrive at the
Polling Station apart from the Polling Party
The Identity of the Polling Agent is to be checked
from the appointment order( in Form 8B) issued
by the Candidate or the Election Agent)
Collect their Appointment Orders .
Allow the Polling Agents to sit and ask them to
take part in Mock Poll
9. CHECKING OF EVM BY PO
Cross check the ID No. of Control & Balloting units
from metal labels, address tags & stickers and ensure
that the CU/BU given to you , pertains to your PS.
Check the RO’s seals on the candidate set section on
control unit & at the right top & bottom latch covers
of Balloting units .
Polling party should not open the seals put by RO on
Control & Balloting units.
10. Setting up of the Voting Compartment
Voting Compartment Should not be set near the
window .
It should not be visible to anybody from outside
Secrecy of voting should not be infringed
Adequate light in the Voting Compartment to
ensure visibility of BU
BU to be inside Voting Compartment ( Even for
Mock Poll).
Cables not to be hidden but should not entangle
with Voter
CU to be with 3rd Polling Officer
Connect the connectors with proper alignment
11. CHECKING OF BALLOTING/Control UNIT
Check that the Ballot paper pertains to your ward
and is the same as mentioned on the carrying case
Check that the Ballot paper is properly aligned &
fixed.
Check that the required candidates Buttons (BLUE)
including NOTA are unmasked & other buttons are
masked (WHITE).
The slide switch has been set to appropriate position.
Check that the Control Unit is the same, as
mentioned on the carrying case
12. PREPARATION OF EVM BY PRESIDING OFFICER
1. Remove the balloting unit & Control Unit from their
carrying cases.
2. Place BU inside the Voting Compartment for Mock as
well as Actual Poll
3. Connect Balloting Unit to Control Unit kept on the
table of PO 3.
4. Open rear compartment of Control Unit & switch on
‘Power’.
5. Open ‘Result Section’ outer door & then the inner
door.
6. Press Clear button to show to the agents present that
there are no votes polled.
13. Important task in Mock Poll
1. Mock poll should be conducted about 60 minutes
before the commencement of poll. If polling agents do
not reach, you may wait for 15 minutes and then start
mock poll.
2. Ensure that each of the blue buttons is pressed at least
once during the mock poll
3. The Presiding Officer (PrO) should mention name of
the agents, name of the candidates present & take
their signatures on the Declaration at the
commencement of Poll/ Mock Poll certificate
15. Steps of Mock Poll
1) Conduct mock poll & show that the EVM is functioning
properly.
2) Press Ballot button on Control unit & register votes
randomly in Balloting unit.
3) Repeat this process so as to record votes for each candidate.
4) Close the mock poll by pressing “Close” button.
5) Press Result-I button & show the mock poll result.
6) Ensure that the result shown is according to the number of
votes cast in favour of the concerned candidates/NOTA.
7) Announce the result and enter the details in the Mock Poll
Certificate ( Annexure 14 Handbook of Pr. O)
16. Clearing Mock Poll Data: Most Important
1) Presiding Officer to Clear the Control Unit
by pressing clear button.
2) Pr Officer Signs the Mock Poll Certificate
which certifies that the mock poll data has
been cleared.
3) Polling agents as well to sign the same.
17. ACTIONS ON THE POLL DAY
Demonstrate to the polling agents that the marked
copy of the electoral roll does not contain entries
other than the ones made by the ERO
Demonstrate also that the register of voters (Form-
11A) does not contain any entry.
Read out the provisions of section 23 of the DMC Act
1957 regarding secrecy of voting.
Sign & Read out the declarations before the
commencement of the poll & obtain the sign of
agents.
Poll to commence on scheduled time 8.00 am
18. Sealing Control Unit for Actual Poll
Open back cover & switch off power.
Sign all the seals/tags & also obtain the signatures of
candidates/agents present on the seals.
Fix GREEN PAPER SEAL to secure the inner
compartment of the result section.
Close the door of the inner compartment & seal it
with special tag. Close the outer cover & seal with
address tag.
Close the outer cover of the result section & seal with
Outer Strip Seal.
Note down the Serial Nos. of paper seals used, in
Form-11C.
19. SETTING UP OF EVM IN POLLING STATION
1. Ballot unit already kept in the voting
compartment is not to be moved
2. Control unit is already on the table of
Presiding/Polling Officer-3.
3. Open the back compartment of control unit &
switch on power.
4. Close the back compartment of the control
unit.
5. Press “Total” button to ensure that there are
no votes cast before the actual poll.
21. DURING THE HOURS OF POLL
First Polling Officer-
Locates the entry of the elector in the marked copy of photo
electoral Roll
Establishes Identification of Electors through SEC approved
documents
Reads aloud the particulars of the electors for the Polling
Agents to check
Marks in the marked copy of electoral roll -
a) IN CASE OF MALE ELECTORS: Marking is done drawing a
diagonal line across the electors’ box
b) IN CASE OF FEMALES: Marking is done by drawing a
diagonal line across the electors’ box and also encircling
the serial No
22. Role of Polling Officer -1 ; Contd
If unofficial identity slip brought in by the voters, contain
name of contesting candidate and/or party and/or symbol,
then instruct concerned polling agent to end such violation.
Pr O to inform Sector Officer for bringing the same to the
knowledge of the RO
In case of ‘pardanashin’ (burqa clad), a woman Polling Officer
will establish her identity .
If female Polling Officer is not available , the Pr Officer may
call any female elector from the queue for identification of
pardanashi
In No case can a male Polling officer insist on getting the
parda/burqa removed
23. DURING THE HOURS OF POLL
Second Polling Officer –
1. Checks that the Left Forefinger is not already
marked with Indelible ink
2. Puts indelible INK mark on the Left Forefinger
of the electors.
3. Enters the electors detail & last four digit of
identification documents in the Register of
Voters ( 11A) & obtaining electors’ signatures
(in full)/thumb impression (LTI).
4. Issues voter’s slip to the electors.
24. APPLICATION OF INDELIBLE INK
if an elector has no left-hand forefinger
then indelible ink should be applied on any such finger
which he has on his left hand.
Further, if he does not have any fingers on his left hand,
the ink should be applied on his right-hand forefinger
if he has no right-hand forefinger, on any other finger
which he has on his right hand starting with his
forefinger.
If he has no fingers on either hand, ink
should be applied on such extremity
(stump) of his left or right hand as he possesses.
25. The Third Polling Officer:-
Checks the mark of indelible INK; it should not have been
wiped away.
If wiped away , directs the Elector to get the left forefinger
marked again
Receives the voter slips, issued by PO-2.
Allows the elector to vote by pressing the ballot button on
control unit and sends the elector to the Voting
Compartment.
He should send the electors to the Voting Compartment in
the same sequence in which they have been entered in the
Register of Voters
26. FUNCTIONS OF PRESIDING OFFICER
1. Ensures Free, Fair & Smooth conduct of poll.
2. Setting up of Polling Booth & making Seating arrangement for
Polling Officers & Polling Agents.
3. To ensure that Polling Officers are performing their duties
properly.
4. Regulates the entry of electors, Polling agents and officials on
election duty in the booth.
5. Allows media person and any other visitors subject to
production of passes issued by the SEC
6. Maintains Law & Order inside & outside the Polling Booth.
7. Not to observe Lunch Break. Polling staff should take their
lunch in rotation without interrupting Polling process.
27. FUNCTIONS OF PRESIDING OFFICER
6. Issue of entry passes to the polling agents.
7. Demonstration of marked Copy of Electoral Roll &
registers of Voters.
8. Conduct of Mock Poll & clearing the Control Unit.
9. Preparation of CU for actual Poll i.e. sealing the CU
with Green Paper Seal, Special Tag, Strip Seal &
Address Tag.
10. Allowing electors to vote strictly in order in which
they have been entered in Form-11A register.
28. FUNCTIONS OF PRESIDING OFFICER
CONTD:..
11. Not allowing any elector to leave without voting if his
name has been entered in the voter register unless it is
recorded in the register that the elector refused to vote.
12. To deal with different situations like Tendered Votes,
Challenge of Vote, Vote on EDC, Vote by Infirm Voter
etc.
13. Pressing the Close Button at the end of Poll & recording
the last entry in Form-11A
14. Completion of statutory documents like filling up of Pr
Officer Diary, declaration & other statutory forms &
sealing of envelopes, EVMs at the close of Poll.
15. Submission of polled material at the reception alongwith
Sector Officer
29. Identity Documents
In the case of electors voting on the basis of the EPIC, it is
sufficient that the letters ‘EP’ (denoting EPIC) is mentioned in
the relevant column of Form 11A, and it is not necessary to
write down the number of the EPIC
If the voter is using any other form of identification apart from
EPIC, then In Form 11A (Register of Voters), the last four digits
of the identification document should be mentioned.
If a person comes with EPIC, but if his/her name is not
included in the Roll, he/she cannot vote.
VOTER SLIP DISTRIBUTED BY BLO IS NOT VALID IDENTITY
DOCUMENT
30. PERSONS ENTITLED TO ENTER THE POLLING STATIONS
Polling Officers
Each candidate, his election agent and one duly appointed polling agent
of each candidate at a time subject to production of Identity Card/Pass
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
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.
31. DURING THE POLL HOURS
SITUATIONS THAT MAY ARISE
AND
THE WAYS TO DEAL WITH
32. 1. Voting process for Regular Voter : Overview
Polling Officer -1
Elector approaches the PO 1 usually with a voter slip indicating his
Part No/SN. If elector does not bring voter slip, PO -1 to locate his
entry on the basis of address
PO1 establishes the identity of elector with the help of SEC
approved documents bearing photograph
Locates the entry of elector in his marked copy and reads aloud the
details for the Polling Agents to listen and verify
If Polling agents have no objection, Marks in the Marked copy-
a) IN CASE OF MALE ELECTORS: Marking is done drawing a
diagonal line across the electors’ box
b) IN CASE OF FEMALES: Marking is done by drawing a diagonal
line across the electors’ box and also encircling the serial No
Elector is guided to PO-2
33. 1.Voting process for Regular Voter ; Contd
Polling Officer -2
Marks the left hand forefinger with Indelible ink
Enters the details of the elector in Register of Voters in Form 11A
Takes Signatures of elector in relevant column of Form 11A
Issues Voters slip to the elector and guides him to PO -3
Polling Officer -3
Checks that the indelible ink is still applied, if not sends the
elector to get his/her left forefinger marked again with indelible
ink
Collects Voter slip issued by PO -2
Allows casting of vote by pressing “ Ballot” button on the Control
Unit
Elector goes to the Voting Compartment to cast his/her on the BU
34. 2. CHALLENGING OF IDENTITY
Any polling agent may challenge the identity of a person
claiming to be a particular elector.
Polling Agent has to first deposit a sum of Rs 5/- (FIVE) in cash
with the presiding officer.
PrO issues receipt of Challenge fee
Pr O Enters the details of challenged elector , in Form 10
Pr O gets the signatures of the elector challenged, in Form 10
Pr O then warns the elector that he will be prosecuted if
he/she is found impersonating some other elector
PO to hold inquiry & for that purpose ask the challenger to
give evidence in proof of the challenge & the person
challenged to evidence in proof of his identity.
35. 2. CHALLENGING OF IDENTITY; Contd
If after inquiry, the PO considers that the challenge
has not been established, he shall allow the person
challenged to vote & the amount of Rs 5/-
deposited shall be forfeited to Govt.
If he considers that the challenge has been
established, he shall debar the person challenged
from voting & hand the imposter over to police.
Letter to SHO is in the Pr O kit
The amount deposited shall be returned to the
challenger, under receipt
36. 3. RECORDING OF VOTES OF BLIND OR INFIRM VOTERS
Any blind or infirm elector who is unable to record his vote by
his own, the PO may permit him to take with him a
companion with the following conditions:-
The companion should not be less than 18 years of age
Companion should submit a signed declaration
( Provided in the Pr O Kit) and also sign in Form 10A
a) That he will keep secret the vote recorded by him on
behalf of the elector
b) That he has not acted as a companion of any other
elector at any other polling station on that day.
c) That he will not act as companion with any other
person on the polling day
d) That he will maintain secrecy of vote
The PO shall keep a record in Form-10 A of all such cases
37. 4. ELECTOR DECIDING NOT TO VOTE
In Register of Voters, put a remark “Refused
to Vote” and Presiding Officer to sign below
that remark.
In Part I of Form 11C, in item 3 “Left without
voting” or “Refused to vote” will be inserted
If Ballot button on CU is pressed then next
voter to be directed straight away to cast his
vote using this command
38. 4. LAST ELECTOR DECIDING NOT TO VOTE
AFTER BALLOT BUTTON ON THE CU IS PRESSED
In Register of Voters, put a remark “Refused to Vote”
and Presiding Officer to sign below that remark.
In Part I of Form 11C, in item 3 “Left without voting”
or “Refused to vote” will be inserted
If Ballot button on CU is pressed then Switch OFF the
CU & Switch ON again to Close the Poll.
39. 5. TENDERED VOTES
If a person representing himself to be particular elector seeks to
vote, after another person has already voted as such elector, shall
be issued a tendered ballot paper by the presiding officer
Presiding officer to satisfy himself of the genuineness of that
elector
Before issuing the Tendered Ballot Paper, PrO to enter the
details of such Elector and receive signatures of such elector in
Form 11 B ( NOT TO BE ENTERED IN RESGITER OF VOTES 11A)
Ballot Paper to such persons shall be used from the last of the
series supplied at the PS and duly marked at the back side by
the Pr O as Tendered Ballot Paper
Such persons are not allowed to vote through EVMs.
40. 5. Tendered Vote; Contd
On receiving the ballot paper
The elector proceeds to PO-2 to get finger marked
with indelible ink
Proceeds to the Secret Voting Compartment ,
records his vote there in the ballot paper with the
cross mark ‘X’
Folds the marked ballot paper and hands it over
to the PrO, who will place it in a cover kept for the
purpose . PR O shall ensure that such ballot paper is
not unfolded and secrecy is not infringed
41. 6. AGE DECLARATION
In case, elector’s age appears below the qualifying age
the PO should
Pr O to Satisfy himself about his claim of being an elector
against the entry claimed.
On being satisfied about his identity and the fact of inclusion
of his name in the roll, obtain a DECLARATION as provided in
the Pr O Kit
Inform the elector that penal action will be taken for
impersonation , under IPC
Prepare list of such voters in the prescribed list
42. 8.VOTING BY PUBLIC SERVANT ON EDC
Persons on election duty applies for EDC
Ask the public servant to produce the EDC
(Election Duty Certificate) in Form 13A.
Mark entry of his name, electoral roll No. in the
marked copy of electoral roll.
Permit him to vote on the EVM as per
procedure for other voters
Put the EDC/Form 13A in prescribed envelope.
EDC Voter can vote at different PS but in the
same Ward only
43. 9. Election Duty Certificate (EDC) AND Postal Ballot
EDC is issued to the elector , who has been deployed
for election duty in his/her home ward i.e where
he/she is registered as voter. EDC vote is cast on
EVM
Postal Ballot is issued to the elector, if he /she is
deployed on election duty outside his /her own
ward. Postal Ballot is cast on the Paper Ballot ( Postal
Ballot) and not EVM
Elector to whom PB is issued , is not allowed to vote
at the PS, even if he /she is later exempted from
election duty . He/she can vote only through PB
issued by the RO
44. CLOSE OF POLL Scheduled time 5.30 pm
A few minutes before the appointed closing hour of the poll,
distribute slips to all electors standing in queue.
Distribute slips starting from last voter in the queue
Allow all persons to whom such slips have been issued to vote,
even if the poll has to be continued for some time beyond the
appointed closing hour.
Formally announce the close of poll after the last such elector has
voted.
Cross below the last entry in 11A and sign it. Ask Polling Agents to
also put their signatures , if they so desire
Press Total to show total votes, which would tally with the
number of Voters in 11A, unless someone has refused to vote or
some voter has been disallowed to vote for violation of
procedure
Close the voting machine by pressing the ‘CLOSE BUTTON’ on the
control unit then replace the rubber cap over the close button.
45. Sealing of the EVM after close of poll
For sealing and securing the voting machine, the power
switch in the control unit should first be switched 'OFF‘.
Then the ballot unit(s) and the control unit should be
disconnected.
The ballot unit(s) and the control unit should now be put back
in their respective carrying cases.
Each carrying case should then be sealed at both ends by
passing a thread through the two holes provided for the
purpose on both sides of the carrying case
Putting thread, seal with an address tag showing the
particulars of the election, the polling station and the unit
contained therein
46. Sealing of the EVM after close of poll
Presiding officer to put his signatures on the address
tag and seal it.
If the contesting candidates, their election agent or
their polling agents, who are present at the polling
station desire to put their seal or signature on the
seals / tags, they may be allowed to do so.
Note the name of those who affix their seal on
carrying cases of ballot units and control unit as
above, in declaration at the end of poll.
47. PREPARATION OF ACCOUNT OF VOTE
After the close of poll prepare an account of votes
recorded in voting machine in the prescribed form
(part-1 of 11C).
The total No. of votes recorded in the voting machine
must be equal to the total No. of voter registered as
per column -1 of the register minus (-) the No. of
voters who decided not to vote & also minus (-) the
number of voters not allowed to vote for violating the
secrecy of voting.
Supply attested copies of account of vote recorded to
every polling agent present at the close of poll. Obtain
a receipt thereof.
A declaration to this effect is to be made at the close
of the poll in prescribed performa.
48. DEPOSITION OF THE ELECTION PAPERS AT THE
COLLECTION CENTRE
The EVMs & the covers containing:-
1. The accounts of votes recorded & paper seal account(Form-
11C). Prepare in duplicate (1 for RO for scrutiny & 2nd for
keeping with EVM)
2. The declarations by the presiding officers before
commencement of poll, during poll & after close of poll.
3. The Presiding Officer’s Diary along with visit sheet.
4. Observers report (16 points).
49. Please note!!
Even if a statement or record to be put in any
cover mentioned above is nil, a slip noting on
it that the statement or record is "Nil" may be
put in the cover and the total number of five
covers made ready so that no necessity arises
for the receiving official at the receiving
centre to enquire about the nonproduction of
any of the seal.
50. Candidates/their Election Agents/Polling Agents may
put their seal /sign
On Envelops & Packets Containing
1. Marked copy of electoral roll;
2. The register of voters;
3. Voter's slips;
4. The used tendered ballot papers and the list of tendered
votes in Form 11B;
5. The unused tendered ballot papers;
6. The list of challenged votes;
7. The unused and damaged paper seals, if any;
8. Appointment letters of polling agents; and
9. Any other papers that the Returning Officer has directed to
be kept in a sealed packet.
51. The first packet should contain the sealed covers mentioned
below and should be super scribed as "STATUTORY COVERS"
1. The sealed cover containing the Marked Copy of the electoral
roll; ( From table of PO-1)
2. The sealed cover containing the Register of Voters 11A;
( From table of PO-2)
3. The sealed cover containing Voter’s Slips;
( From table of PO-3)
4. The sealed cover containing Unused Tendered Ballot Papers;
( From table of Pr O)
5. The sealed cover containing the Used Tendered Ballot Papers
and the list in Form 11B. ( From table of Pr O)
Packet 1 : Statutory Cover
Individual covers to be sealed with Wax & put inside Large Packet
52. PACKET 2 : NON- STATUTORY
Individual covers to be sealed with gum & put inside large packet
The second packet should contain the following covers & should
be super scribed as “NON-STATUTORY COVERS”:-
1) Copies of electoral rolls other than marked copies,
2) Appointment letters of polling agents in Form-8B,
3) Election duty certificate in Form-13A,
4) List of challenged votes in Form-10,
5) List of blind & infirm electors in Form-10A & declaration of
the companion,
6) The receipt book & Cash, if any i.r.o. challenged votes,
7) Unused & damaged paper seals, special tags, strip seals,
8) Unused voter slips.
9) Declaration obtained from electors as to their age & the
list thereof,
53. THE THIRD PACKET
1) Handbook of Presiding Officers
2) Manual of EVM
3) Indelible Ink set
4) Self Inking Pad
5) Metal seal of Presiding Officer
6) Arrow cross Marked Rubber Stamp.
7) Cup for setting up of Indelible Ink
THE FOURTH PACKET
All other remaining material should be kept in
fourth packet.
54. General Instructions
The Polled material at the end of Poll day must reach
the Reception Center ONLY in the authorised vehicle
and NOT in any other personal /private vehicle.
Polled material to always move escorted by the force
There can not be any deviation from the sanctioned
transport plan for reaching the Reception Center.
RO to be immediately informed by the Sector
Officer, in case there is some unavoidable hurdle in
the already decided transport plan
