1. Guidelines for polling station admission established.
2. Measures aim for smooth, secure, and orderly voting.
3. Mandated by Rule 48 of the Nagaland Municipal Election Rules 2023.
Kohima, June 25: In preparation for the 2024 Municipal/Town Council Polls, the Government of Nagaland has outlined specific guidelines for admission to polling stations, as mandated by Rule 48 of the Nagaland Municipal Election Rules 2023.
These measures aim to ensure a smooth, secure, and orderly voting process.
The Presiding Officer is instructed to permit only certain individuals into the polling station:
- Polling Officials: Individuals directly involved in the polling process.
- Public Servants on Election Duty: This category includes Election Observers, Deputy Commissioners, Sector Magistrates/Officers, and other designated officials.
- Authorized Persons: Those with authority letters or entry passes from the Election Commission.
- Candidates and Agents: Each candidate, their election agent, and one polling agent at a time.
- Assisting Persons: This includes a child accompanying an elector, a person assisting a blind or infirm elector, and others as specified under certain rules.
Per Rule 46 (2), if female assistance is needed for helping women electors or conducting searches, the Presiding Officer can designate a female polling official or a willing woman from the voters present.
The directive also clarifies that “Public Servants on Duty” does not include Ministers, MPs, State Ministers, Deputy Ministers, Advisors, or MLAs, as their presence requires security personnel, who are not permitted inside the polling station.
Similarly, police officers are generally not allowed unless specifically summoned by the Presiding Officer for law and order reasons.
Returning Officers must issue identity cards with photographs to contesting candidates. Presiding Officers may request these IDs for verification, and polling agents must present attested copies of their appointment letters.
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Security personnel accompanying candidates, agents, or electors are not permitted inside polling stations.
Additionally, there will be separate queues for men and women voters for the Nagaland Municipal polls, with voters admitted in alternating batches to prevent crowding.
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 assist these voters if needed.
Media representatives may photograph voters outside polling stations but must have an entry pass from the State Election Commission to enter the station.
They are prohibited from photographing inside the polling station, approaching the voting compartment, or interviewing polling personnel to maintain the secrecy and integrity of the voting process.
These guidelines have been communicated to all presiding officers to ensure compliance and a seamless polling experience
