Achi news desk-
The Election Commission issued guidelines
Now there are only two days left for Lok Sabha elections in Batia. The management of the booths began together with a campaign by political parties. In such a situation, the Election Commission set guidelines for the polling agents. All agents should arrive at the booth an hour and a half before the start of voting.
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The polling agent does not have the right to carry a telephone inside the booth
The agents will observe whether the EVMs are working properly or not while participating in the mock poll conducted before the voting begins. According to the deputy district election officer, a polling agent is appointed on behalf of the candidate himself.
The polling agents will not be allowed to use cell phones, cordless phones or wireless systems, etc. within a radius of 100 meters from the polling stations and inside the booth. Only observers, junior observers, officials, sector officers and security personnel will be able to take the mobile phones in silent mode at the booths.
The polling agents will not be able to put a picture of a party leader or any party’s flag or election symbol inside the polling station or within a 100 meter radius of it. The agent can place a small batch on which the candidate’s name will be displayed. No government employee can act as an agent.
There will be a penalty for acting as an agent of a government official
If a government employee acts as an agent, he can be punished with imprisonment for a term which may extend to one year, or with a fine, or with both. Any person to whom the state government provides security. He also cannot become an agent.
It is in the candidate’s interest to appoint someone who is an adult to act as a polling agent. He must also obtain a photo voter slip issued by EPIC or ERO, BLO or any alternative ID prescribed by the Commission.
The job of the agent is to protect the interests of his candidate, participate in mock polls at the polling booth on the polling day and see if the EVMs are working properly or not. It is the responsibility of the clerks to prevent a person whose identity as a genuine voter is in doubt from voting.
