To further streamline the mechanism of distribution of photo voter slips and bring in greater transparency, the Chandigarh Election Department has implemented the instructions of Election Commission of India regarding distribution of photo voter slips to electors at the polling station where he/she is enrolled into and his/her serial number in the electoral rolls.
A spokesperson of the Chandigarh Election Department said that the photo voter slips duly authenticated by the Electoral Registration Officer/BlO shall be distributed through the Booth level Officers (BlOs). The schedule for distribution of photo voter slips by the BlOs shall be issued by the AROs to the Political Parties, Booth level Agents (BlAs) of all recognised political parties, if they have been appointed and contesting candidates and their agents, under acknowledgement.
The BlAs of political parties/candidates’ agents can accompany the BlOs during the distribution work. The BlO shall give the photo voter slip either to the registered voter or to an adult member of the voter’s family who is himself/ herself a voter. The BlO shall obtain the signature or thumb impression of the person to whom the photo voter slip is delivered in a register, as an acknowledgement of having received the photo voter slip, said the spokesperson.
“When the BlA/candidates’ Agent accompanies the BlO for distribution, their signatures shall also be obtained on the register, as a token of having seen the distribution process to genuine voters. Bulk distribution of the photo voter slips shall not be allowed by BlO or any other person. The undistributed photo voter slips along with an alphabetical voters’ list shall also be kept at a facilitation desk outside each polling station on the day of the poll, which shall be manned by the BlO concerned. Any voter who has not received photo voter slip may collect it from this facilitation desk on the poll day,” he added.