Professional Documents
Culture Documents
Poll Day 2024
Poll Day 2024
Poll Day 2024
CONTROL
UNIT- Enables
the Ballot Unit
to accept vote
from the voter
and stores the
vote cast
3
EVM – Control Unit (CU)
Power ON Lamp
(Green)
Result Section
Candidate Set
Section Door
Candidate Set
Latch Button
Plug for
Power Pack
Outer
Door
BALLOT UNIT-
the voter can
franchise his /
her vote by
pressing a
button against
the candidate
of his/her
choice
8
Ballot Unit
Ready Lamp (Green)
Candidate’s Button
Candidate’s Lamp
Interconnecting Cable
EVM – Ballot Unit
Masking/Unmasking of
Candidate’s button Candidates
button
Mask Unused
Candidates buttons Masked button
Masking tabs
Close the Ballot Unit
Cover
Lift to
Open
Stand Connecter Box for
additional BU connection
Cable Clamp
Battery Box
12
VVPAT-VOTER VERIFIABLE PAPER
AUDIT TRAIL
BU
Paper Slip
interface
Compartment
VVPAT – Printer Unit – Internal Parts
13
Paper Slip
Compartment
EVM – PROCESS
Press the Close button and wait till POLL CLOSED is displayed
Sl No………………………
Presiding Officer
Connection Process (During Mock Poll)
For Mock Poll - the EVM units can be placed at appropriate places,
and no need to further disturb the units before Actual Poll
Remember-There is no direct connection between BU &CU any
more….. after introduction of VVPAT
Earlier there were BU & CU. Now VVPAT has come in between.
First pick up VVPAT Unit and observe its points of Connections
(1) At BU Interface of VVPAT - Connect fixed cable of BU
(2) The Fixed Cable of VVPAT – To Connect with CU
In case of 02 or more BUs- Fixed Cable of 2 nd Ballot Unit will be
connected to the 1st BU ( at appropriate point down side of the body of
BU)
While connecting-Remember to hold the cable from the center of the
Plug
While Disconnecting –Hold and press from both sides of the Plug and
pull from the Adaptor
CONDUCT OF MOCK POLL Page 32-34
Mock Poll shall be done at 5.30am one and a half hour before the
schedule time of commencement of Poll, if Polling agents of at
least two candidates are present at the time.
The scheduled time for poll is 7.00am. to 6.00pm.
Mock Poll to be conducted by pressing every unmasked button
including the button for NOTA, at least once.
In case Polling agents of at least two candidate are not present
at the time fixed for starting the Mock Poll, i.e. by 5.30 A.M, the
Presiding Officer should wait for 15 more minutes before
conducting the Mock Poll. If the agents still don’t come then the
Presiding Officer should go ahead & start the Mock Poll.
After waiting for 15 minutes, if there is a possibility that only one
Polling agent may be present, in that situation also the Presiding
Officer should go ahead & start the Mock Poll.
At the time of Mock Poll if no Polling agent or only one polling
agent of one contesting candidates is present, endorsement to
that effect shall be given in the Mock Poll certificate in proper
place.
CONDUCT OF MOCK POLL Page 32-34
At least Fifty Votes should be Polled in the Mock Poll even if the
number of candidate is less. During Mock Poll the VVPAT & the
Ballot Unit should be placed in the voting compartment, the
Control Unit on the table of the Presiding or the concerned
Polling Officer.
At least two Polling Officer with the polling agents should be
present in the voting compartment for mock poll
During the Mock Poll, the buttons of the Ballot Unit should be
pressed by polling agents if they are present.
The display on the transparent screen of the VVPAT shall be
observed as the buttons are being pressed. The number of times
ballot is pressed to be recorded by polling officer.
After Commencing the Mock Poll in the Lok Sabha EVM, the
Presiding Officer shall commence Mock Poll in the EVMs meant
for Vidhan Sabha.
After recoding of 50 vote is over, the Presiding Officer shall
CLOSE the Mock Poll & ascertain the result of Mock Poll by
pressing the RESULT button of the Control Unit & count the
ballot slips in the VVPAT in the presence of polling agent.
Getting the EVM Ready for Mock Poll
VVPAT – See that no paper slips are there inside the drop box. BU to be
connected to VVPAT placed on the left side. VVPAT to be connected to the CU.
Keep the Paper Roll Knob at Vertical position. Switch on the CU - Look at CU
displays and note down displays that appear.
VVPAT - ( Simultaneously) Observe the Test Slips getting Printed and cutting
down through the Display section of VVPAT. If all connections are OK then
7 paper slips will be generated from VVPAT
Check those slips. These slips are not to be counted as vote
One of the Slip will have check reports on different aspects of functionality
of the VVPAT. Pl. ensure that the same is printed with no abnormality
Press TOTAL button to ensure that there is no votes stored in CU’s Memory.
If pressing Total button shows Result other than zero
It indicates some votes are present in CU memory.
Press CLOSE button in Result section and wait till poll
closed
Press RESULT button and wait till results are shown.
Press CLEAR button and wait till all counts are zero
Press Total Button again to see votes polled is zero.
CONDUCT OF MOCK POLL Page 32-34
Ensure that Wires not hanging loose & putting pressure over
the latches
Ensure that wires connecting units are not concealed, fixed
to the legs of Table with Transparent Cello Tapes
Press Ballot button in the Ballot section of CU
Red light on the Top right side of CU will glow (Busy Lamp),
This indicates Vote can be cast in BU.
Simultaneously Green light(READY) on top of the BU will
glow indicating it’s readiness to accept casting of vote by
Voters.
Press the CANDIDATE button of the choice candidate, on the
BU. Red Light(CANDIDATE LAMP) besides of the BU-
Candidate Button will glow.
On the VVPAT, the Paper Slip containing sl.no., name and
symbol of the particular Candidate will be shown for 7
seconds & then fall down
A long............. beep sound will be heard from the CU.
After few seconds, the busy lamp on CU, Candidate Lamp &
Beep Sound will go off and one cycle is thus complete.
Now CU is ready for allowing another vote.
CONDUCT OF MOCK POLL Page 32-34
Seal
Switch off 7
Clear 6
Result 5
Close 4
Ballot 3
2
1
67
Mock Poll
REPLACEMENT OF EVM BEFORE POLL
If CU/BU/VVPAT gets out of order before actual poll, then replace
the defective unit only, not the entire set.
Inform the concerned Sector Officer for replacement who will be
carrying the reserve EVMs for the purpose
The defective un-polled EVM to be handed over to the Sector Officer
The Presiding Officer Report Part IV meant for EVM replacement
during Mock Poll or before poll to be filled up by the Presiding
Officer and to be signed by the Sector Officer as well.
Take the signature of the polling agents present.
The Sector Officer to carry this Report in Part IV to be handed over
to the Returning Officer.
Apart from this the Sector Officer has to fill up another Form
indicating how many EVMs have been replaced by him from out the
pool of Reserve EVMs received from the strong room.
Sector Officer to ensure that each replacement of EVM is correctly
entered in EMS for proper tracking.
CONDUCT OF POLL Page 50, 51
1. Setting up the EVM for actual poll
2. Declaration by Presiding Officer at Start
3. Persons to be admitted and documents as proof of
identity including media personnel from ECI
4. Marked Copy of the Electoral Roll and Role of 1st PO
5. Signature in the Register of Voters in Form 7A and
application of the indelible ink - Role of 2nd PO
6. Voter’s slip preparation by the 3rd PO
7. Voting by EVM – audio / visual signs
8. Replacement of battery or EVM during poll and PRO
Reports Part II & V
9. Meaning of some displays on control unit
10. Some common errors
11. Role of the 4th and the 5th Polling Officers
PREPARING EVMs FOR POLL
VVPAT – See that no paper slips are there inside the drop box. BU to be
connected to VVPAT placed on the left side. Connect VVPAT to the CU.
Keep the Paper Roll Knob at Vertical position. Switch on the CU - Look at
CU displays and note down displays in VVPAT simulataneously
VVPAT - Observe the Test Slips getting Printed and cutting down through
the Display section of VVPAT. If all connections are OK then
7 paper slips will be generated from VVPAT
Check those slips. These slips are not to be counted as vote
One of the Slip will have check reports on different aspects of
functionality of the VVPAT. Pl. ensure that the same is printed with no
abnormality
Press TOTAL button to ensure that there is no votes stored in CU’s
Memory.
If pressing Total button shows Result other than zero
It indicates some votes are present in CU memory.
Press CLOSE button in Result section and wait till poll closed
Press RESULT button and wait till results are shown.
Press CLEAR button and wait till all counts are zero
Press Total Button again to see votes polled is zero.
DECLARATION BY PRESIDING OFFICER Page 43
After completion of the mock poll, show that no votes
recorded in the CU and that the Drop box in the VVPAT is
empty. After that it is sealed as described above.
Commence the Poll at the hour fixed by the Commission at
7.00am.
You should match your watch for the exact time.
Read out the provisions of section 128 of R.P. Act, 1951
regarding maintenance of secrecy of vote and bring to their
(Polling Agents’) notice.
Show the ‘Marked Copy of Electoral Roll’ and ‘Voter’s
Register’(17 A) to Polling Agents.
Read aloud the declaration before commencement of the
poll. Sign the prescribed ‘Declaration’ in PART I and get it
signed by the polling agents and the Candidate if present
at that time.
In case of EVM being replaced, in addition to a mock poll
certificate, Declaration in PART II shall be filled up.
PERSONS TO BE ADMITTED PAGE 17
1. The Electors with photo identity proof
2. Polling Officers, Sector Officers
3. Contesting candidate, his election agent and one polling agent
of each candidate at a time.
4. Persons authorized by the commission having entry passes by
ECI to enter the polling station; such as media persons issued
with authority letter.
5. Public servants on duty (Public servant does not include
ministers)
6. A child in arms accompanying an elector
7. A person accompanying a blind or on infirm elector who cannot
move or vote without help.
8. BLO or such other persons as the Presiding Officer may from
time to time admit for the purpose of identifying voters or for
otherwise assisting.
9. One male elector should be allowed to vote per two female
voters.
Alternative Photo Documents
for Establishing Identity
The Election Commission of India, for the SGE 2019, vide
their order, dt.28.02.2019 have notified that,
* All Electors who have been issued EPIC shall produce
the EPIC for their Identification at the Polling Station before
casting their votes. Those Electors who are not able to
produce the EPIC shall produce one of the following
alternative Photo Identify documents establishing their
identity.
Passports.
Driving License.
Service Identity Cards with photograph issued to
employees by Central/State Govt. PSUs/Public Limited
Companies.
Passbooks with photograph issued by Bank/Post Office.
PAN Card.
Alternative Documents for
Establishing Identity
Aadhar Card.
Smart Card issued by RGI under NPR.
MNREGA Job Card.
Health Insurance Smart Card issued under the scheme
of Ministry of Labour.
Pension document with photograph
Official identity cards issued to MPs/ MLAs/ MLCs
The overseas Electors shall have to produce their
original passport for identification.
PHOTO VOTER SLIPS CANNOT SERVE AS STAND
ALONE DOCUMENT FOR IDENTIFICATION OF
ELECTORS ON THE DAY OF POLL.
Media Facilitation –Authority letter from the ECI
Authority
Letter for
Entry/re-
entry into
Polling
Stations -
sample
79
MARKED COPY OF E-ROLL Page 44
Marking
in the
Photo
Electoral
Roll
PB
APPLICATION OF INDELIBLEINK PAGE 47, 48
2 AADHAR ****
Voter’s slip collected from the voters by the 4th and 5th polling
officers should be tagged serially and kept in a separate
statutory envelope provided for the purpose.
EVM:
ELECTRONIC VOTING MACHINE
BALLOT UNIT
CONTROL UNIT
VOTER VERIFIABLE PAPER TRAIL
CONDUCT OF POLL Page 50, 51
Then 3rd Polling Officer will fill up and issue two voter slips White for
‘LOK SABHA’ and Pink for ‘VIDHAN SABHA’ Election.
Voter will be informed that after LOK SABHA he should go to 5 th
Polling Officer to vote for Assembly Election.
The Voter will proceed to 4th Polling Officer. He will collect the white
voter slip for LOK SABHA and press the ‘Ballot’ button in the CU for
‘LOK SABHA’. Busy lamp in CU will glow red. Ready lamp in BU will
glow green.
Then voter will be allowed to enter into Voting Compartment for LOK
SABHA to cast his vote by pressing the blue button of the BU against
the desired candidate.
When he presses that button, the lamp provided on the Ballot Unit
against the name, photograph & symbol of the candidate will start
glowing red and green light on the Ballot Unit will go off.
The VVPAT will print a slip of paper having the symbol, name and
serial number of the candidate that will be visible for seven seconds
in the VVPAT window. Thereafter, the printed paper slip will
automatically get cut and fall in sealed drop box of the VVPAT
CONDUCT OF POLL Page 50, 51
Then Voter will go to 5th PO in charge of CU for VIDHAN SABHA and
pink voter slip will be collected from him.
He will press ‘Ballot’ button of CU for assembly poll & the voter is
to go to the voting compartment of VIDHAN SABHA to cast his vote.
A beep sound will be heard from the Control Unit. After a few
seconds, the beep sound from CU and the red light in the candidate
lamp on the Ballot Unit and the red light in the ‘Busy’ lamp on the
Control Unit will also go off.
These visual and audio signs are indicative of the fact that the voter
inside the Voting Compartment has recorded his vote
‘Ballot’ button on the Control Unit is to be pressed for the next voter
only when the earlier voter has come out of the Voting Compartment
& THE BUSY LAMP IN CU & BBEP SOUND IS OFF .
Voters to vote in the same sequence as they have been entered in
sequence in the register 17A.
The 4th & 5th PO to Press TOTAL button to tally with number of
voters in 17-A Register and note down the votes recorded in the
control unit
COMMON ERRORS DISPLAYED IN CU
MEANING OF VARIOUS DISPLAYS mentioned at Page- 27 & 28 of
Presiding Officer Hand Book
Every person whose name is entered in the electoral roll and produces
a proof of his identity as per ECI’s order is entitled to vote at the
election unless there is a challenge by a candidate or his election
agent or his polling agent.
A Polling Agent can challenge the identity of a voter only after
depositing challenge fee of Rs. 2/-
First ask the elector regarding consequences of impersonation.
Then ask Polling Agent to adduce evidence. Onus on Polling Agent to
prove regarding impersonation. Check the absentee voter list.
If Polling Agent fails to prove, the Elector shall be allowed to vote.
Rs. 2 shall be forfeited and Issue receipt to Polling Agent.
If Polling agent succeeds then only Elector shall be asked to adduce
evidence.
If elector fails and challenge is established, return the amount and
hand over the person to Police for impersonation.
Maintain Form -14 in case challenge is established.
TENDERED VOTES PAGE NO 58
This happens when a voter on arrival in the polling station
finds that another person has already voted in his place.
NO ENTRY TO BE MADE IN REGISTER OF VOTERS. HE WILL
NOT VOTE THROUGH EVM.
Be satisfied about the identity elector now present. Allow
him to vote ‘TENDERED BALLOT PAPERS’ supplied.
Write “Tendered Ballot Paper” on the back of such paper
and write the A/C no and Booth no and put dated signature
as no distinguishing mark rubber stamp shall be provided.
Ensure that the ballot button is not pressed if he is allowed
to record vote in voting compartment.
Prepare a list in Form 17 B and obtain the signature of such
voter in Column (5) of the Form.
Issue an inked ‘Arrow Cross Mark’ seal and collect the
same folded after marking by the elector in the voting
compartment.
Keep the ballot paper and form 17 B in the Cover provided
and seal the envelope after the close of the poll.
COMPLAIN ON EVM BY VOTER PAGE 60
Presiding Officer under rule 49Q has the right to enter the
voting compartment for inspection of the balloting unit (BU)
in the presence of polling agents only.
He may have to take steps as may be considered necessary
to ensure that the Balloting Unit is not tampered with or
interfered with in any way and that the poll is conducted
smoothly and orderly.
Presiding Officer has to be careful that whenever he enters
the Voting Compartment, he does so in the immediate
presence of the Polling Agents.
The Presiding Officer must not enter the Voting Compartment
at the time of polling to explain to the illiterate voters about
how to use EVM.
This will lead to immediate suspension alongwith other cases
against polling officials.
Dummy balloting unit can be used outside the Voting
Compartment to explain the voting mechanism.
RESTRICTIONS ON PRESS AND MEDIA
Only those photographers/ videographers authorized by
the Election Commission of India shall be allowed to take
photographs.
No person, not even the publicity officials of the State
Govt can enter inside a polling station without the written
letter of ECI.
However Commission has already issued directions for
deployment of micro observers or videography of critical
events at critical polling stations. You shall be informed if
your booth is such one at the dispersal centre.
It has to be ensured that a voter recording his vote should
not be video graphed.
There is no objection to photograph being taken of the
crowd of electors lining up for voting out side the Booth.
Secrecy of ballot is most important.
MICRO OBSERVER Page 21 22
Observe ID document particulars being filled in Form 17-A by the
Polling Officer
Remain present at Polling Booth during entire day and observe the
proceedings as per ECI guidelines
Observe whether PrO and Polling Officer (PO) perform duties as per
ECI instructions
Check whether A/S/D voters scrutiny was done properly by PrO
Report to Observer about activities of Poll Day in each PS.
Check whether sealing of EVM is done as per ECI instructions
To keep track of complaints by polling agent/party etc.
Observe whether sufficient polling material is provided at booth
To bring notice to General Observer whenever there is deviation in
polling process.
If the video camera/digital camera is not deployed the Presiding
Officer or Micro Observer can make use of the mobile phone to click
photograph of the security arrangement and forward the image to
the control room or hand over the image at the time
128
of handing over
of EVM at the respective centres
PHOTO / VIDEOGRAPHERS Page 20
Mock poll and sealing of EVM and VVPAT before start of poll
Positioning of Voting Compartment. This should be taken before
commencement of poll.
Photo showing presence of Polling Agents.
Photos of electors in case of Challenged / Tendered
Votes/Missing voters as per ASD list;
Voters waiting outside at the close of scheduled hours of poll
and last voter in the queue.
Visits of Sector Officers, Observers, and other electoral
functionaries or any important person including the Candidates.
Apart from recording the events like mock poll and
commencement of poll, the presence of CAPF/Police personnel
should also be recorded by clicking a photograph of the security
personnel standing in front of the board of the Polling Station.
Attempts, if any, of intimidation of voters, of inducement/bribing
of voters, Canvassing within 100 meters of Polling Station
129
PHOTO/ VIDEOGRAPHY/WEBCASTING Page 20 21
• Don’t start mock poll, if one or no election agent is present. WAIT FOR 15 MINUTES.
• Don’t stop mock poll without casting at least 50 votes.
• Don’t start actual poll without clearing mock poll data from CU and without removing mock VVPAT slips from the drop
box of VVPAT.
• Don’t keep VVPAT mock slips unstamped.
• Don’t Switch OFF and Switch ON CU while mock poll is going on. Don’t disconnect and connect cables while mock poll
is going on.
ACTUAL POLL
• Don’t Switch OFF and Switch ON CU while actual poll is going on.
• Don’t disconnect and connect cables while actual poll is going on.
• Don’t conduct mock poll when only VVPAT or Power Pack of CU/VVPAT/BU is
replaced.
CLOSE OF POLL
• Don’t press CLOSE button of CU before notified poll close time or completion of poll.
• Don’t disconnect cables without Switching OFF the CU.
• Don’t leave Power Pack of VVPAT in VVPAT after completion of poll.
• Don’t leave carrying cases without sealing and obtaining signature of Polling Agents after poll.
• Don’t use any other vehicle other than assigned vehicle for depositing polling materials at collection
ADDITIONAL INPUTS TO BE GIVEN BY PRESIDING
OFFICER
Visit Sheet
Day of Poll:________________
Name and Number of Assembly:________________________
Name and Number of Polling Station:____________________
Number of Electors:____________
Sl No Name & Time Brief Number of % polled Remarks, Signature
Designation of visit descripti votes till the if any of Officer
of the officer on of polled till time of
Visiting polling the time visit
(Observer/DE process( of visit
O/RO/ERO/Se peaceful
ctor /
Magistrate/ incidents
Zonal , if any)
Magistrate/
Patrolling
Magistrate)
STOPPAGE OF POLL PAGE 60, 61
Under Section 58 & 58A of the RP Act 1951, the ECI has been
given the power to declare the poll at a Polling Station to be void
and direct a fresh poll, if…
Any voting machine has been unlawfully taken away by any
unauthorized person, or
Any voting machine has been accidentally and intentionally
destroyed or lost or damaged or tampered and the result of the poll
at that polling station cannot be ascertained for that reason, or
Any voting machine develops a mechanical failure during the
course of the recording of votes, or
Any error or irregularity in procedure, which may vitiate the poll,
has been committed, or
There has been booth capturing ( as defined in Sec 135A of the
said Act).
If any such things happens at your polling station, you should
report full facts forthwith to the Returning Officer, who will in turn,
report
CEO Odishathe matter to the ECI for its direction.
CLOSING OF EVM IN CASE OF BOOTH
CAPTURING PAGE 60, 61