Meet discusses procedures on allocation of symbols

The Election Observer for the district, Jatindra Nath Swain, reviewed the preparations made by the administration for the ensuing civic polls at an emergency meeting of revenue and police officials at the Collectorate here on Friday.

Mr. Swain explained the procedures that needed to be followed while allocating the symbols to the candidates for election to the posts of panchayat union ward members, town panchayat ward members and municipal councillors.

"The candidates of recognised political parties should be given their respective party symbols, while the candidates put up by registered but unrecognised political parties as well as Independent candidates should be allocated free symbols," he added. The free symbols were allocated according to the preferences mentioned by the candidates in the nomination papers.

"If more than one candidate opted for the same symbol as their choice, selection will be done through lots," the official said.

In the case of elections to the posts of village panchayat ward members and village panchayat presidents, both of which were held on a non-party basis, symbols would be allocated completely through lots.

Briefing the poll preparations to the Observer, Collector R. Palaniyandi said that a total of 14,080 polling personnel had been assigned for duty to the 2,174 polling stations in the district.

He told Mr. Swain that three types of ballot boxes would be used on the polling date in the district.

"While Tansi (special) model, having a size of 280 mm X 335 mm X 470 mm (length X breadth X height), is capable of accommodating a maximum of 1,600 ballot papers, Tansi (medium) type boxes with a size of 260 mm X 280 mm X 290 mm could accommodate 1,200 ballot papers," he said.

The third model with a size of 200 m X 175 mm X 225 mm is capable of accommodating 500 ballot papers.

He also scrutinised the modus operandi adopted for publication of electoral rolls and security arrangements made by the police to ensure fair polls.

Superintendent of Police John Nicholson, Assistant Superintendent of Police Aswin Kotnis Mukund, Deputy Superintendent of Police (Town) Mohammed Ghori, and Returning Officers appointed for the elections, among others, attended the meeting.

Source: The Hindu