DRAFTING /REQUISITIONING OF PREMISES/VEHICLES

Appointment of handicapped as Poll Personnel.

Election Commission's letter No. 576/3/97/JUD II, Dated 12th March, 1997 addressed to The Chief Electoral Officers of all States and Union Territories.
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Subject: Drafting of polling personnel for Conduct of Elections Regarding.

I am directed to invite your attention to Chapter III (Polling Personnel) of Handbook for Returning Officer, 1994 (Reprint 1996) and to say that Commission is receiving complaints from various Government officials that inspite of their being physically handicapped, they are being appointed on election duties as Presiding Officers, Polling Officers, Counting Assistants, etc. One of such complainants has even approached the High Court for getting exemption from appointment as polling official.

2. The Commission has considered the matter and directed that in future physically handicapped persons (including visually handicapped and deaf and dumb persons) should not be put on election duty. While deciding to put persons on election duty, it may be considered whether any handicapped person as aforesaid would find it difficult to go to the polling station/counting center and perform election duties there. If it is considered that any such handicapped person would not be in a position to perform election duties, such person may be exempted. Such exemption should, however, be given in deserving cases, subject to the satisfaction of the District Election Officer/Returning Officer about the abovementioned handicap of the person concerned.

3. This may be brought to the notice of all District Officers/Returning Officers and other concerned officers for strict compliance in future.



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