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ECI Mandates Voter-Friendly Polls: Minimum Facilities and Assistance for All

The Election Commission of India has issued strict directions to ensure all polling stations have basic amenities. Voter Assistance Booths will help people find their correct polling locations. Special facilities include mobile phone deposit areas and accessibility features for disabled voters. These measures aim to create a smooth voting experience for upcoming elections in Bihar and several other states.

Key Points: ECI Directs CEOs on Polling Station Facilities for Bihar Elections

  • ECI directs CEOs to provide drinking water, toilets, and ramps at all polling stations
  • Voter Assistance Booths to help locate booth numbers and serial numbers
  • Four standardized Voter Facilitation Posters to be displayed for voter awareness
  • Mobile phone deposit facility to be provided outside polling station entrances
2 min read

ECI directs CEOs to ensure minimum facilities, voter assistance at all polling stations

ECI mandates Assured Minimum Facilities and Voter Assistance Booths at all polling stations for Bihar polls and by-elections, ensuring a seamless voting experience.

"Voter Assistance Booths (VABs) shall be set up for every polling station location with a team of Booth Level Officers (BLOs)/officials to assist electors - Election Commission of India"

New Delhi, October 24

Election Commission of India has issued directions to the Chief Electoral Officers (CEOs) to ensure that every polling station is equipped with Assured Minimum Facilities (AMF) and voter assistance during the Bihar polls and bye-elections for eight assembly constituencies across seven states and Union Territories.

AMF include drinking water, waiting sheds, toilets with water facilities, and adequatelighting, a ramp of proper gradient for PwD electors, and a standard voting compartment, and adequate signage, a release said

To strengthen voter awareness, ECI directed to display four uniform and standardised Voter Facilitation Posters (VFP) at all polling stations containing the Polling Station Details, List of Candidates, Do's and Don'ts, list of Approved Identification Documents and the voting process.

"Voter Assistance Booths (VABs) shall be set up for every polling station location with a team of Booth Level Officers (BLOs)/officials to assist electors in locating their polling booth number and serial number in the electoral roll of the concerned booth. VABs will have prominent signage and will be easily visible to the voters approach the polling premises," the press note from ECI stated.

Additionally, a mobile phone deposit facility for voters will be provided outside the entrance of the polling stations. Voters shall have to hand over their phone (switched off) before entering the station to a designated volunteer and collect the same, after casting the vote.

The Commission reiterated that provisioning of AMF and related accessibility measures is mandatory and shall be monitored for strict compliance across all polling stations. All field functionaries have been directed to complete necessary works well before the poll dates to ensure a seamless and dignified voting experience for all electors.

Bihar will go to the polls in two phases on November 6 and 11. The results will be declared on November 14.

By-elections for eight assembly constituencies across seven states and Union Territories will take place on November 11. These by-elections are being held to fill vacancies caused by various reasons such as resignations, deaths, or disqualifications.

The by-elections will take place in Jammu and Kashmir's Budgam and Nagrota districts, Rajasthan's Anta district, Jharkhand's Ghatshila district, Telangana's Jubilee Hills district, Punjab's Tarn Taran district, Mizoram's Dampa district, and Odisha's Nuapada district.

- ANI

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Reader Comments

R
Rohit P
The mobile phone deposit facility is a smart move. Will help maintain the sanctity of the polling booth. Hope they implement this properly across all stations.
A
Arjun K
Good to see focus on PwD facilities. My elderly father had difficulty last time due to lack of proper ramps. Hope these guidelines are actually followed at ground level.
S
Sarah B
While these measures sound good on paper, I hope there's proper monitoring. In previous elections, many polling stations lacked basic amenities despite similar directives.
D
David E
The voter assistance booths and clear signage will be very helpful for first-time voters. Democracy works best when participation is made easy for everyone.
M
Meera T
Hope they ensure clean toilets for women voters too. Often these basic facilities are neglected. Good initiative by ECI! 🙏

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