Presidential election: Election Commission started distribution of ballot boxes, letters

The Election Commission of India has started sending ballot boxes, ballot papers and other materials to the states and by July 14, the same will be sent to all 30 states/UTs and Parliament. Ballot boxes were handed over to Assistant Returning Officers (AROs), including a senior officer from the office of the Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) of Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, Punjab and Andhra Pradesh.

Mr Ballot Box

An air ticket has been booked in the name of “Mr Ballot Box” to meet the presidential election deadline.

The mandatory procedure specifies special precautions during the transportation, storage and use of these boxes. specifically for operating presidential election, The process also includes a fascinating journey to the ballot box reaching the capital of each state. During transport, in addition to the seat of the officer transporting the material under personal supervision, ballot boxes fly on a separate air ticket booked in the name of Mr. Ballot Box sitting in the front row of the aircraft.

Boxes and other documents are carried personally into the cabins of the aircraft, never out of sight of the accompanying officers. The ECU has also appointed 37 observers to oversee the system of voting and counting during the elections and a briefing meeting of these observers was also held on July 11, 2022.

The AROs will return to their respective States/UTs on the same day the election material is collected. During transportation, ballot boxes are flown on a separate air ticket in the front row of the aircraft next to the seat of the officer transporting the material under personal supervision.

Chief Election Commissioner Rajiv Kumar while talking to the ARO emphasized that strict adherence to procedures by the EC teams has become the hallmark of conducting error free elections time and again. He said that a set of well defined instructions and standard operating procedures which are required to carry out every electoral process for the strength of ECI to conduct elections.

talking ANI“We will remain vigilant and ensure strict adherence to protocols and guidelines for transportation and storage of election materials including ballot boxes and ballot papers,” said Raghavendra, Karnataka’s joint CEO.

Senior Principal Secretary NN Butolia told ANI that once the ballot boxes reach the state capitals, they are kept in pre-cleaned and properly sealed strongrooms under strict videography surveillance. After polling ends on July 18, the polling and sealed ballot boxes are to be taken back to the Rajya Sabha Secretariat by the next available flight.

Boxes and other documents are carried personally into the cabins of the aircraft, never out of sight of the accompanying officers. The ECU has also appointed 37 observers to oversee the system of voting and counting during the elections and a briefing meeting of these observers was also held on July 11, 2022.

*With inputs from ANI

first article