FAQs on Polling Station rationalisation (Revised)

I’d posted few FAQs on this blogpage earlier (on 18/02/08). As I’d mentioned in the Video Conference we must drastically modify our earlier approach. But in course of my visit to the districts/ blocks, I find some confusion persists. So here are a few revised latest FAQs:

1. Do we create polling stations if no. of voters exceed 1500 / 1200 / 1000?

- No. There is no 1200 / 1000 limit being applied now. Only the existing ceiling of 1500 continues. BUT, even here, as usual, we’ll make auxillary stations only when polls are declared. So, for existing parts, we don’t create additional parts merely on the ground that the number of electors is more than 1500.

2. Can we create any new Part with more than 1500 or less than 300 electors?

- No. We create new parts and/or polling stations only to ensure that voters of a mouza go to cast their votes in any polling station located physically in their own mouza. But the new part – whether totally new or amalgamated - cannot contain more than 1500 electors or less than 300 electors.

3. What are the other restrictions in creating a new polling station?

- A new polling station building can be set up only on the ground mentioned at (2) above. But the new building should be a govt/ semi govt one, of area 20 sq m or more, have separate doors for entry & exit and not be more than 2 km away from any elector’s home.

4. Do we set up a new polling booth if existing booth is more than 2 kms away from some voters?

- Since it is an existing booth, we don’t plan to interfere now. Perhaps we can look at it next year. However, if there is a serious long-standing issue, DEO can make out a special case with good reasons. It is noteworthy that too many increases in number of booths may land us in problem in finding polling personnel.

5. Can we shift the location of a polling booth?

- Yes. But reasons must be specifically mentioned; for example: (a) to enable villagers to vote in their own village (b) old building does not exist / old building dilapidated / old building in religious place etc

6. Can we amalgamate sections with other parts?

- Yes, without violating 1500 ceiling.

7. Can we split sections?

- Only if it is ABSOLUTELY necessary. Reasons must be very sharp.

8. We were told earlier that no electoral part should have more than one part-mouza: is this still relevant?

- No. Just forget it.