Training of Polling Personnel for Casting of Votes through Postal Ballots by Absentee Voters in the category of Senior Citizens, PwDs, and COVID-19 suspects or affected persons was held on 16th February 2023 at DPDB Hall Kohima.

Briefing the trainees, DC and RO Kohima, Shanavas C, IAS said that out of 1000 Postal Ballots forms issued in the category of Senior Citizens with 80+ years of age, Covid-19 suspect or affected persons and PWDs with benchmark disabilities to have Postal Ballots only 492 interested persons had applied through the BLOs. He asked the Polling Personnel to go door to door in all 26 Sectors to do the postal ballot casting on 18th February 2023 and for the teams to disperse before 8:00 AM or depending on the distance. He also requested them to do videography and take photos as evidence while casting the votes and to ensure that the secrecy of the vote is not violated while carrying out the videography exercise and make sure that all the other ECI Procedures are followed.

Emphasizing the Responsibilities of the Polling Officials, SDO (C) and ARO Nockpai Konyak said that the visiting Polling Official must ascertain the identity of the elector before issuing the postal ballot paper, the Name of the elector and the document produced for identification should also be entered in format and signature or thumb impression of the elector obtained therein. He added that the Polling Officials have to ensure that the elector votes without anyone influencing his or her choice and ensuring the secrecy of voting, all activities at the address of the elector concerned. He also informed the trainees that in case any elector was not able to cast vote by himself due to blindness or physical infirmity, he or she would be allowed to take the assistance of any adult person for casting vote.

The Training was attended by all the appointed Polling Officials: Attestation Officers; Assistant Videographers; Micro Observers and Police Personnel.

(Akamla IA Kohima)