Poll staff to get special ballots

Tribune News Service

Patiala, April 17

Over 70,000 policemen and over 35,000 government employees on polling duty in Punjab on May 19 will cast their vote through specially printed ballot papers, which will be sent to them through post by May 3. The officials on poll duty will have to submit their ballot papers to their respective constituency’s returning officers before May 23.

For the first time, the EC has allowed Electronic Transmit Postal Ballot System for Army personnel on duty during polls while government employees, including police, drivers, returning officers etc, will be issued ballot papers. Army officials will get their postal ballot on e-mail and they can fill it up and revert through mails.

To ensure that polling staff do not miss out on casting their votes, there is an election duty certificate (EDC) and postal ballot paper (PBP) cell in every constituency. In every constituency, 12 to 15 members have been trained and entrusted with the duty to look after this segment of service to election staff members.