Voters Can Deposit Their Mobile Phones At Polling Stations Before Casting Vote
The ECI has also rationalised the norms for canvassing by the candidates near polling centers by allowing political parties to set up tables beyond 100 metres from the booth instead of the earlier rule of 200 metres
New Delhi: In a relief to the voters, the Election Commission of India has issued instructions for providing mobile deposit facility for them outside the polling stations. Voters as of now are not allowed to carry their mobiles to the polling centers. The ECI has also rationalised the norms for canvassing by the candidates near polling centers by allowing political parties to set up tables beyond 100 metres from the booth instead of the earlier rule of 200 metres.
“Recognising the increasing coverage and usage of mobile phones in both urban and rural areas and the challenges faced not only by the voters at large but also by senior citizens, women, and PwD electors in managing mobile phones on the poll day, the Commission has decided to allow a mobile deposit facility just outside the polling stations. Only mobile phones shall be allowed within 100 meters of the polling station and that too in switched-off mode,” the ECI said on Friday.
“Very simple pigeonhole boxes or jute bags shall be provided near the entrance door of the polling station where the voters would be required to deposit their mobile phones. Mobile phones shall not be allowed to be carried inside the polling station by the voter. However, certain Polling Stations can be exempted from this provision based on adverse local circumstances by the Returning Officer. Rule 49M of the Conduct of Elections Rules, 1961, which ensures secrecy of voting within the polling station, will continue to be strictly enforced,” the order added.
In a move aimed at improving election day facilitation, the ECI has rationalised the permissible norms for canvassing in line with the electoral laws to 100 meters from the entrance of the polling station. Therefore, the booths set up by the candidates on poll day for issuing unofficial identity slips to electors, in case the electors are not carrying their official Voter Information Slips (VIS) issued by the Commission, can now be set up closer to the polling stations, just beyond 100 meters of any polling station instead of previous rule of 200m. However, electioneering shall not be allowed within a 100-meter radius around the Polling Station on the day of poll.