Restrictions have been imposed on sending advertisements through SMS in connection with local body polls.
A candidate or political party can send SMS asking for votes. However, SMS seeking votes for another candidate or political party or front and defamatory messages will be treated as an offence as per election guidelines. State Election Commission has warned of registering case under cyber rules against those found guilty. Ballot papers will be set on Electronic Voting Machines to be deployed for elections in Corporation divisions 26 to 50 at Maharaja’s College on November 2 from 8 a.m onwards. Candidates concerned and their agents should turn up on time, a release issued by returning officer R. Lalu said.
Employees in the private sector covered by the Shops and Commercial Establishments Act, 1960, will be granted holiday with pay on the election d ay. District Labour Officer has been asked to take stringent action against employers found violating the direction.
Counting assistants
The State Election Commission has asked the district election officer to make available adequate officers for assisting returning officer in counting votes. Eligible officials should be appointed as counting supervisors. They would be given training in counting votes. Those who have worked for any candidate should not be appointed as counting supervisor or counting assistant.
Postal ballots
Postal ballots received after the time set for the start of counting of votes will not be considered. They should not even be opened and kept safely by recording the date and time of its receipt.
Officials deployed on election duty and employees of district election offices, panchayat, municipality, and corporation, staff of election wing, observers, sectoral officers, and police officials deployed on election duty could avail of postal ballots.
Arrangements
The State Election Commission has asked returning officers to reach polling booths by 4 p.m. on the eve of election and make necessary arrangements. They should put in place electronic voting machines (EVMs) and voters’ list and make arrangements for polling officers, agents and voting materials. Voters’ list should be verified against supplements for discrepancies, check whether the name and symbols of candidates are in order in EVMs. Separate queues should be arranged for men and women voters, posters of political leaders should be removed from polling stations.
