Election workers directed not to frequently enter EVM section

Bhopal, Oct 26 (UNI) The Election Commission has asked presiding officers and other election workers to not frequently enter the Electronic Voting Machine section during election to ensure free and fair polling.

However, election workers can guide voters with the help of a dummy cardboard model.

Official sources said thorough investigation would be carried out into any complaint in this regard and report submitted following which immediate action would be taken.

Election observers had been directed to give full importance to complaint in this regard and conduct immediate inquiry.

Presiding officers would be informed about this during training.

A copy about these instructions would be provided to election teams in their kit.

The EC has directed to inform political parties and candidates about the arrangement.

The arrangement has been made keeping in mind presiding officers and election workers guide people during voting on the EVMs. This increases chances of political parties questioning fairness of electoral process.

Hence, cardboard dummy EVMs would be provided at polling centres.

Fake names and symbols that are not in use would be used in these dummies.

UNI XC-PS 1220