Election Commission imposes strict 100-meter no-booth zone to secure polling ahead of election

The Election Commission of India has issued strict guidelines prohibiting the establishment of any political party election booths within 100 meters of polling stations. This directive has been sent to all Chief Electoral Officers for immediate enforcement to ensure proper management on polling day. The rules are outlined in the Election Commission’s emergency notification and the 2023 Handbook for election officials.

According to the directive, no individual or political entity is allowed to conduct any public or private activity within 100 meters of the polling station on election day. This includes campaigning for votes, soliciting votes from any voter, persuading voters to support or reject any candidate, or displaying election-related notices or signboards. Violators can be fined up to 250 rupees under Sections 25 and 100 of the Representation of the People Act, 1951.

Polling stations are required to have only one table and two chairs, with a protective shelter or tent no larger than 10 feet by 10 feet. These measures are intended to provide shelter for voters and election staff during adverse weather conditions. District Election Officers are responsible for organizing the polling station layout and ensuring these rules are strictly followed.

The guidelines emphasize that the sufficient number of polling centers in each constituency must be established with prior approval from the Election Commission. The Chief Electoral Officer is tasked with informing all election-related officials, including District Election Officers, Presiding Officers, Returning Officers, Sector Officers, and Booth Level Officers, about the new rules to maintain uniform compliance.

These regulations have come into effect starting today for the upcoming by-election scheduled on June 19 in the Kaliganj Assembly constituency of Nadia district. The Election Commission aims to ensure that polling takes place in a neutral, peaceful, and orderly manner without any interference or undue influence within the immediate vicinity of the polling stations.