As a voter you should also know the aspects that are considered as corrupt practices or electoral offences:
- Offering or accepting money or any other gratification either to vote for or not to vote for a particular candidate.
- Inducement by way of liquor, feast, gifts, etc. to vote for or not to vote for a particular candidate.
- Inducement to vote or not to vote for a particular candidate on the grounds of religion, caste, community, sectarian beliefs or place of birth.
- Threat to an elector of ex-communication if he votes for or against a particular candidate.
- Offer of free conveyance to any elector to go to or from any polling station.
Can you decline to cast your vote at the last stage?
The law enables a voter to decline casting his vote at the last stage. If you decide not to cast your vote after having signed on the Register of Voters and after having received the voters’ slip from the Second Polling Officer, you must inform the Presiding Officer immediately. He will then take back the voters’ slip from you and proceed to record in the remarks column of the Register of Voters that you have declined to exercise your franchise and you will be required to put your signature under such entry. After this is done, you can leave the polling station without proceeding to the Voting Compartment.
What happens when your vote is challenged?
In case your identity as a voter is challenged by a polling agent of any candidate, on the ground that you are not the person whose name is listed on the rolls, the Presiding Officer will ask the challenger to give evidence in proof, of his challenge. Similarly, he will ask you for proof of your identity. You can use your EPIC or any other supporting document like Passport, Ration card etc. for this purpose. If the challenge is not established, you will be allowed to vote. However, if challenge is established, you will be debarred from voting and handed over to the police with a written complaint by the Presiding Officer.
What happens if someone else has cast the vote in your name?
If the First Polling Officer tells you on arrival inside the polling station that your vote has already been cast, bring this to the attention of the Presiding Officer immediately. The law allows you to cast a Tendered Vote. A Tendered Ballot Paper, as per Rule 49P of the Conduct of Elections Rules, will be given to you and you will be required to sign your name on the list of tendered votes. A tendered ballot paper is the same as the ballot paper displayed on the balloting unit, except that it shall be endorsed on the back, with the words, “Tendered Ballot Paper” either stamped by the Returning or written by the Presiding Officer at the time of issuing it.
What are the grievance redressal mechanisms available to you?
a) If you have any grievance in regard to electoral roll, Electors Photo Identity Card or any other election related matter you may approach following Officers:
Chief Electoral Officer - At the State Level
District Election Officer - At the District Level
Returning Officer - At the Constituency Level
Assistant Returning Officer - At Taluka/Tahsil Level
Electoral Registration Officer - At the Constituency Level
Presiding Officer - At Polling Station
Zonal Officer - For a group of Poling stations
b) During every election, the Commission appoints Observers who are senior civil service officers from outside the state. If you have any grievances or problems, you should approach them.
Courtesy: ECI India
