This document provides instructions for presiding officers and polling officials on conducting elections in Kerala, India. It covers procedures before, during, and after polling day. Key points include: 1. Outlining the duties of presiding officers and polling staff, and assigning roles for verifying voters, maintaining paperwork, and operating the electronic voting machine. 2. Describing the process for setting up the polling station, including arranging materials and displaying notices. Mock polls must be conducted before voting begins. 3. Detailing procedures during voting hours such as regulating voter entry, enforcing election laws, assisting certain voters, handling challenged ballots, and addressing other issues. 4. Instructions for closing the poll at the end

2. General Election 2016
To
Kerala Legislative
Assembly

3. WELCOME
TO
Presiding officers&POs

4. I. ACQUAINT ELECTION PROCEDURE
II. ON THE DAY PREVIOUS TO POLL
III. BEFORE COMMENCEMENT OF POLL
IV. DURING THE POLL
V. END OF THE POLL.
CONDUCT OF POLL

5. I. ACQUAINT ELECTION PROCEDURE
II. ON THE DAY PREVIOUS TO POLL
III. BEFORE COMMENCEMENT OF POLL
IV. DURING THE POLL
V. END OF THE POLL
CONDUCT OF POLL

6. CONDUCT OF POLL
1. ACQUAINT RULES AND PROCEDURES
Attend all
Rehearsal
and
Training
Classes
Modus
operandi
of
EVM
Clarification
of
doubts

7. I. ACQUAINT ELECTION PROCEDURE
II. ON THE DAY PREVIOUS TO POLL
III. BEFORE COMMENCEMENT OF POLL
IV. DURING THE POLL
V. END OF THE POLL
CONDUCT OF POLL

8. 1. Arrival at the Distribution Centre
2. Identification of polling station
3. Familiarizing the Polling Team
4. Itinerary to and from the PS
5. Collection of Polling Materials.
II. ON THE DAY PREVIOUS TO POLL
CONDUCT OF POLL

9. MOST IMPORTANT POLLING MATERIALS
ELECTRONIC VOTING MACHINE
CONTROL
UNIT
BALLOTING
UNIT

10. MOST IMPORTANT POLLING MATERIALS
Marked copy of Electoral roll
Register of Voters (17 A)
Voters Slip
Indelible ink
Tendered Ballot paper
Arrow cross mark
Self inking pad
Metal seal
Copy of specimen signature of candidate /
Election agent

11. MOST IMPORTANT POLLING MATERIALS
Detailed list available in
Presiding Officers Check list
Paper seal
Strip Seal
Presiding Officer’s Diary, Declaration etc
Sample of EVM Balloting Unit
16 Point Report as per Annexure XV
Address tag
Special tag

12. 6. Arrangement of Polling Station
a. Set up of PS (Slogans / Photo etc
should be covered or removed)
b. Set up of Voting Compartment
c. Display of Notices.
II. ON THE DAY PREVIOUS TO POLL
CONDUCT OF POLL

16. I. ACQUAINT ELECTION PROCEDURES
II. ON THE DAY PREVIOUS TO POLL
III. BEFORE COMMENCEMENT OF POLL
IV. DURING THE POLL
V. END OF THE POLL
CONDUCT OF POLL

17. 1. Assignment of Duties to Polling Officers
III. BEFORE COMMENCEMENT OF POLL
1ST
POLLING OFFICER
2nd
POLLING OFFICER
3rd
POLLING OFFICER
CONDUCT OF POLL

18. 1ST
POLLING OFFICER
In charge
of
marked copy
Verification
of identity
of Electors
Read out
serial No
and entry of the
elector in the
electoral roll
1. Assignment of Duties to Polling Officers
III. BEFORE COMMENCEMENT OF POLL
CONDUCT OF POLL

19. 1ST
POLLING OFFICER
Marking
in the
Photo
Electoral
Roll
PB
1. Assignment of Duties to Polling Officers
III. BEFORE COMMENCEMENT OF POLL
DUTIES AND FUNCTIONS OF PRESIDING OFFICER

20. Minor errors in
the EPIC and
Electoral roll may
be
ignored and over
looked.
1ST
POLLING OFFICER
1. Assignment of Duties to Polling Officers
III. BEFORE COMMENCEMENT OF POLL
DUTIES AND FUNCTIONS OF PRESIDING OFFICER

21. 2nd
POLLING OFFICER
1. Assignment of Duties to Polling Officers
III. BEFORE COMMENCEMENT OF POLL
DUTIES AND FUNCTIONS OF PRESIDING OFFICER
In charge of
Register of
Voters
17 A

23. 2nd
POLLING OFFICER
From the upper tip of the nail
to the bottom of the 1st
joint
1. Assignment of Duties to Polling Officers
III. BEFORE COMMENCEMENT OF POLL
In charge
of
Indelible
ink
CONDUCT OF POLL

24. 2nd
POLLING OFFICER
1. Assignment of Duties to Polling Officers
III. BEFORE COMMENCEMENT OF POLL
Issuance of
Voters Slip
CONDUCT OF POLL

25. 137
958

26. 3rd
POLLING OFFICER
1. Assignment of Duties to Polling Officers
III. BEFORE COMMENCEMENT OF POLL
In charge
of Control
Unit Ensuring
Indelible
ink mark
CONDUCT OF POLL

27. These duties can be performed by the presiding Office
where the number of Electors is small.
3rd
POLLING OFFICER
1. Assignment of Duties to Polling Officers
III. BEFORE COMMENCEMENT OF POLL
DUTIES AND FUNCTIONS OF PRESIDING OFFICER
Activatin
g
the
Balloting
Unit
137
958
Collecti
ng
Voters
Slip

28. 28
2.Appointment of Polling Agents
III. BEFORE COMMENCEMENT OF POLL
1.Assignment of Duties to Polling Officers

29. 29
Appointment letter in Form No.10
Appointment by candidate or his election agent
Revocation by candidate or his election agent
Compare specimen signature in case of any doubt
Pass for polling agents
2.Appointment of Polling Agents
III. BEFORE COMMENCEMENT OF POLL

30. 30
Seating of polling agents
i. Candidates recognized by the National Parties
ii. Candidates recognized by the State Parties
iii. Candidates recognized by State Parties of other
States who have been permitted to use their
reserved symbols in the constituency.
iv. Candidates of registered unrecognized parties
v. Independent candidates
2.Appointment of Election Agents
III. BEFORE COMMENCEMENT OF POLL

31. III. BEFORE COMMENCEMENT OF POLL
MOCK POLL
CONDUCT OF POLL

33. I. ACQUAINT THROUGH KNOWLEDGE
ABOUT ELECTION PROCEDURE
II. ON THE DAY PREVIOUS TO POLL
III. BEFORE COMMENCEMENT OF POLL
IV. DURING THE POLL
V. END OF THE POLL
CONDUCT OF POLL

34. 1.Commencement of poll
IV. DURING THE POLL
4. Other important functions
2. Admission into the Polling Station
3. Enforcement of Election Law
CONDUCT OF POLL

35. a. Warning about secrecy of voting
1.Commencement of poll
IV. DURING THE POLL
Violation of maintenance of secrecy is
punishable with imprisonment which may
extend to three months or fine or with both
as per section128 of the
Representation of People Act , 1951.
CONDUCT OF POLL

36. 36
c. Declaration by the Presiding Officer
b. At the stroke of the hour fixed
a. Warning about secrecy of voting
d. Precautions about indelible ink
e. Maintenance of register of voters in form No.17 A
f. Maintenance of PO’s Diary
g. Maintenance of visit sheet
1.Commencement of poll
IV. DURING THE POLL
CONDUCT OF POLL

38. Separate
Queues
for
men and
women
Infirm/
Women voters
with babies
in arms
may be given
precedence
h. Entry of voters to PS to be regulated
1.Commencement of poll
IV. DURING THE POLL
CONDUCT OF POLL

39. 1.Commencement of poll
4. Other important functions
2. Admission into the Polling Station
3. Enforcement of Election Law
IV. DURING THE POLL
CONDUCT OF POLL

40. The electors
The Polling Officials
Each candidate, his election agent and one polling
agent of each candidate at a time
Persons authorized by the Election Commission
Public Servants on duty
Child in arms accompanying an elector
A person accompanying a blind or an infirm voter
Identifying officers
2. Admission into the Polling Station
CONDUCT OF POLL

41. 1.Commencement of poll
4. Other important functions
2. Admission into the Polling Station
3. Enforcement of Election Law
IV. DURING THE POLL
CONDUCT OF POLL

42. Declaration of Elector about his age
Obtain
declaration
as in
Annexure X
Inform the
penal provision in
section 31 of the
R.P.Act
Imprisonment for one year or fine or both
3. Enforcement of Election Law
CONDUCT OF POLL

43. Prohibition of canvassing in or near PS
Canvassing of Votes
Soliciting the vote of any elector
Persuading any elector not to vote for
any particular candidate
3. Enforcement of Election Law
CONDUCT OF POLL

44. Persuading any elector not to vote at
the election
Exhibiting any notice or sign relating to
the election
--are punishable under section
130 of the RP Act.
Prohibition of canvassing in or near PS
3. Enforcement of Election Law
CONDUCT OF POLL

45. Other offences
Disorderly conduct in or near PS (section 131)
Misconduct at the PS (section 132)
Failure to observe procedure for voting (section 132 A)
Illegal hiring or procuring of conveyance (section 133)
Breaches of Election duty (section 134)
Going armed to or near PS (section 134 B)
3. Enforcement of Election Law
CONDUCT OF POLL

46. Smoking prohibited inside the PS
Polling agents are not permitted to bring mobile
phones inside the PS
Photography prohibited inside the PS
Wearing of badges/emblem etc bearing the names of
candidate Political leaders or Symbols etc are prohibited.
Impersonation is punishable under Indian Penal Code
Other offences
3. Enforcement of Election Law
CONDUCT OF POLL

47. 1.Commencement of poll
4. Other important functions
2. Admission into the Polling Station
3. Enforcement of Election Law
IV. DURING THE POLL
CONDUCT OF POLL

48. PO’s entry in Voting Compartment
Voting of blind and infirm voters
Adjournment or stoppage of Poll
Tendered Vote
4. Other important functions
CONDUCT OF POLL

50. Challenged Votes
Challenge
fee
Summary
enquiry
Burden of
proof
Return/forfeiture
of
challenge fee.
4. Other important functions
DUTIES AND FUNCTIONS OF PRESIDING OFFICER

51. Refusal to observe voting procedure
Withdraw
and cancel
voters slip
Inscribe the fact
in Register
of Voters
Put signature
below the
entry in the
remarks column
Never change the Sl.No in 17 A
4. Other important functions
CONDUCT OF POLL

52. Electors deciding not to vote
Never change the Sl.No in 17 A
Shall not
Compel to cast
his vote
Inscribe
“Refused to Vote”
in remarks
column of register
of voters (17 A)
Signature
Or thumb
impression
of the elector
against the
entry
4. Other important functions
CONDUCT OF POLL

53. USE OF NEW VOTING MACHINE
Read out
a further
Declaration
in part II of Annexure VII
4. Other important functions
CONDUCT OF POLL

54. VOTER ASSISTANCE BOOTH
CANDIDATE’S ELECTION BOOTH
NRI VOTER
VOTING BY PROXY (CSV)
4. Other important functions
CONDUCT OF POLL

55. VOTING
BY
PROXY
(CSV)
Must be a resident of the constituency concerned
Should have at least 18 years of age
Shall not be disqualified for regn. as an elector
Indelible ink – on the middle finger
The letters “PV” should be suffixed in 17 A
4. Other important functions
CONDUCT OF POLL

56. I. ACQUAINT THROUGH KNOWLEDGE
ABOUT ELECTION PROCEDURE
II. ON THE DAY PREVIOUS TO POLL
III. BEFORE COMMENCEMENT OF POLL
IV. DURING THE POLL
V. END OF THE POLL
CONDUCT OF POLL

57. Announce
the fact a
few minutes
before the
hour
appointed
CLOSING HOUR
Permit
Electors
present
at the
PS at the
hour
appointed
Distribute
slip
with
signature
in full.
V. END OF THE POLL
CONDUCT OF POLL

58. Press “close”
button of CU
Show the
“total”
in the CU and
record in 17 C
CLOSING OF EVM
V. END OF THE POLL
CONDUCT OF POLL

63. Supply
attested
copies
of 17 C to
Polling
Agents
Closing of
Voters
Register
(17 A)
V. END OF THE POLL
CONDUCT OF POLL

64. 958
959
960
961
534
857
861
638
0891
6859
7421
2357
The last serial No. is 961 (Nine Six One)
2nd
PO PrO
Sl. No Sl. No. of
elector in the
electoral roll
Details of the
document produced by
the elector in proof of
his/her identification
Signature /
Thumb
impression
of elector
Remarks
Date: Time:

65. DECLARATION
AT THE END
OF THE POLL
V. END OF THE POLL
CONDUCT OF POLL

66. Place the
Control Unit
and Balloting
Unit in their
carrying
cases, close
and
seal with the
Address tag
V. END OF THE POLL
CONDUCT OF POLL

67. DECLARATION
AFTER SEALING
THE EVM
V. END OF THE POLL
CONDUCT OF POLL

68. V. END OF THE POLL
16 POINT REPORT
CONDUCT OF POLL

70. SEALING OF ELECTION PAPERS
(The above covers should be sent separately
along with the EVM to the receiving centre)
V. END OF THE POLL
Cover containing 17 C
Cover containing Declaration of PO
Cover containing PO’s Diary
16 Point ReportVisit Sheet
CONDUCT OF POLL

71. Packet No. I
Statutory Covers
Packet No.II
Non-Statutory Covers
Packet No.III
Packet No.IV.
SEALING OF ELECTION PAPERS
V. END OF THE POLL
CONDUCT OF POLL

72. PACKET No. I
(Should be super scribed as “Statutory Covers”)
1. Sealed Cover containing marked copy of
electoral roll and List of CSVs
2. Sealed cover containing the Register of Voters (17 A)
3. Sealed Cover containing voters slips
4. Sealed Cover containing unused tendered ballot papers
5. Sealed Cover containing used tendered ballot papers
and the list in Form No.17 B
If any cover mentioned above is nil, a NIL cover should be placed.
SEALING OF ELECTION PAPERS
V. END OF THE POLL
CONDUCT OF POLL

73. PACKET No.II
(Should be superscribed as “Non-Statutory Covers”)
1. Copies of Electoral Roll other than marked copy
2. Appointment letters of Polling Agents in Form 10.
3. List of blind and infirm electors in Form 14 A and the
declaration of the companion.
4. Declaration obtained from electors as to their age
and list of such electors (Annexure XI)
5. Receipt book and cash, if any, in respect of
Challenged votes
SEALING OF ELECTION PAPERS
V. END OF THE POLL
CONDUCT OF POLL

74. 6. Unused and damaged paper seals
7. Unused voters slips
8. Unused and damaged strip seal
10. Election Duty Certificates
9. Unused and damaged special tags
PACKET No.II
(Should be super scribed as “Non-Statutory Covers”)
SEALING OF ELECTION PAPERS
V. END OF THE POLL
11. List of challenged votes in Form 14 (Sealed Cover)
CONDUCT OF POLL

75. 1. Hand book for PO
2. Manual of EVM
3. Indelible ink set without leakage
5. Metal seal of the PO
4. Self inking pad
6. Arrow cross mark
7. Cup for setting indelible ink.
PACKET No.III
SEALING OF ELECTION PAPERS
V. END OF THE POLL
CONDUCT OF POLL

76. All other items such as
Voting compartment,
Waste paper basket,
Polythene bag, etc…..
PACKET No.IV
SEALING OF ELECTION PAPERS
V. END OF THE POLL
CONDUCT OF POLL

77. POINTS TO BE REMEMBERED
Maintain close relation with the members
of your polling team
Maintain good relation with the polling agents
Commence the poll at the appointed hour
Start mock poll at least one hour before the
hour fixed for the commencement of poll
Formally announce the close of poll after
the last elector has voted
Take personal responsibility to hand over
the EVM and election papers.

78. Thank You