Starting with the next set of by-elections expected to be held in June, voters will be able to deposit their mobile phones outside polling stations on voting day.
The Election Commission (EC) on Friday announced its decision to allow the mobile phone deposit facility outside polling stations. “Recognising the increasing coverage and usage of mobile phones in both urban and rural areas and the challenges faced not only by the voters at large but also by senior citizens, women, and PwD [persons with disabilities] electors in managing mobile phones on the poll day, the Commission has decided to allow a mobile deposit facility just outside the polling stations. Only mobile phones shall be allowed within 100 metres of the polling station and that too in switched-off mode,” the EC said.
It added that simple pigeonhole boxes or jute bags would be put up near the entrance of polling stations.
“Mobile phones shall not be allowed to be carried inside the polling station by the voter. However, certain polling stations can be exempted from this provision based on adverse local circumstances by the Returning Officer,” the EC said.
The EC also decided to reduce the distance at which parties can put up their booths on polling day, from 200 metres from a polling station to 100 metres. Party workers operate these booths to give information to voters, including directing them to the correct booth.
