The Election Commission of India (ECI) has issued various instructions on preventive measures near polling booths and setting up of election booths by the candidates/political parties from time to time. In this regard, DC & DEO Mokokcung, Shashank Pratap Singh IAS has circulated the following important instructions:

1.      No booth shall be set up within a distance of 200 meters from the polling station. Even where more than one polling station has been set up in the same polling station location or premises, there shall be only one booth of a candidate for such a group of polling stations beyond a distance of 200 meters from such premises.

2.      Only one table and two chairs shall be provided at each booth with an umbrella or a piece of tarpaulin to protect the two occupants of those chairs at the booth from weather conditions.

3.      Each candidate wishing to set up such booths shall intimate, in writing, in advance, to the Returning Officer, the names and Sl. Nos. of the polling stations where such booths are proposed to be set up by him. Such written permission must be available with the persons manning the booth for production before the police/election authorities concerned on demand.

4.      Such booths shall be used only for the sole purpose of issuing unofficial identity slips to electors. These unofficial identity slips shall be printed strictly in accordance with the instructions of the commission on the subject without the name or symbol of the candidate or the name of the political party.

5.      Only one banner to display the name of the candidate, his party, and the election symbol allotted to him shall be allowed at each such booth, provided that such banner shall not be more than 3 feet by 4 half feet in length and breadth. Any banner set up in violation of this restriction will be removed by authorities maintaining the law and order.

6.      No crowds shall be allowed to collect at such booths in any circumstances, nor shall any person who has already cast his vote at the polling station be allowed to come to the booth. This would be evident from the indelible ink mark on his left forefinger or any other finger as specifically prescribed for that election for the constituency in which the polling station is located.

7.      He has warned all concerned that any violation of the above directions will be viewed with the utmost gravity and most stringent action possible under the law, including but not restricted to the removal of such booths forthwith will be taken against the candidate and/or their agents/workers responsible for any such violations.

8.      If any officer is found to have failed to take prompt and expeditious action to ensure the strict compliance of the above-mentioned directions, he will render himself liable to strict disciplinary action apart from any penal action as may be called for against him for failure to discharge the official duty.

(DPRO Mokokcung)