Northeast Desk, 25th June: In preparation for the 2024 Municipal/Town Council elections, the Government of Nagaland has issued new directives aimed at ensuring a smooth, secure, and orderly voting process. These instructions align with Rule 48 of the Nagaland Municipal Election Rules 2023.
The guidelines specify that only certain individuals are permitted entry to polling stations:
- Polling Officials: Those directly involved in the election process.
- Public Servants on Election Duty: Including Election Observers, Deputy Commissioners, Sector Magistrates/Officers, and other designated officials.
- Authorized Persons: Individuals holding authority letters or entry passes from the Election Commission.
- Candidates and Agents: Each candidate, along with their election agent and polling agent, is allowed entry one at a time.
- Assisting Persons: This includes a child accompanying an elector, a person assisting a blind or infirm voter, and others as specified by the rules.
Rule 46 (2) allows the Presiding Officer to designate a female polling official or a consenting woman from the voters present to assist women electors or conduct searches if required.
Notably, the directive clarifies that “Public Servants on Duty” excludes Ministers, MPs, State Ministers, Deputy Ministers, Advisors, or MLAs, due to the necessity of accompanying security personnel, who are not permitted inside polling stations. Similarly, police officers are generally barred unless specifically summoned by the Presiding Officer for maintaining law and order.
Returning Officers must issue identity cards with photographs to contesting candidates, and Presiding Officers may request these IDs for verification. Polling agents must produce attested copies of their appointment letters.
Security personnel accompanying candidates, agents, or electors are not allowed inside polling stations.
To prevent crowding, there will be separate queues for male and female voters, who will be admitted in alternating batches. Priority will be given to persons with disabilities, senior citizens (75 years and above), and women with babies. Female assistants or MTS polling officials will be available to help these voters if necessary.
Media representatives can photograph voters outside polling stations but must have an entry pass from the State Election Commission to enter the station. Inside the polling station, photographing, approaching the voting compartment, or interviewing polling personnel is strictly prohibited to maintain voting secrecy and integrity.
These instructions have been distributed to all presiding officers to ensure compliance and a seamless voting experience.