www.electionin.in

Organization : Election Commission of India
Facility : Verification of Elector’s Identity & Procedure In Case of Challenge
Location : India

Verification of Elector’s Identity & Procedure In Case of Challenge : https://eci.gov.in/
Website : http://eci.nic.in/eci/eci.html

Related : ECI Process of Voting : www.electionin.in/413.html

Verification Of Elector’S Identity And Procedure In Case Of Challenge :

Verification of elector’s identity :

1.1 As has already been explained in Chapter V an elector on entering the polling station will proceed direct to the first Polling Officer who will be in-charge of the marked copy of the electoral roll and responsible for identification of electors.

The Polling Officer should properly verify his identity with reference to the entry in the electoral roll.

1.2. Usually, each voter brings with him an unofficial identity slip which might have been issued to him by a candidate or his agents. This slip should be on a plain white paper and may contain the name of the elector, his serial number in the electoral roll, part number of the electoral roll and the number and name of the polling station where he is to cast his vote. This slip should not contain the name of the candidate and/or the name of the party and/or facsimile of symbol allotted to him, If any slip has been issued by a candidate or his party in violation of these instructions of the Commission and is brought to the polling station, it should be brought to the notice of the polling agent of the candidate concerned forthwith for putting an immediate end to such violation.

1.3 It should be noted that carrying of unofficial identity slip by an elector does not guarantee the identity of the voter, nor does it absolve the Polling Officer of his duty and responsibility of satisfying himself about the identity of such voter.

1.4 The first Polling Officer in-charge of the marked copy of the electoral roll and identification of electors should not treat the identity of an elector established by the mere production of an ‘unofficial identity slip’ which he brings to the polling station. Though such a slip will help in locating the entries relating to an elector in the electoral roll, it cannot be automatically taken for granted that the person producing the slip is that particular voter. Further an illiterate voter cannot read the entries in the unofficial identity slip and satisfy himself that the slip held by him/her actually relates to him/her. Therefore, the first Polling Officer should simply take the slip and read out only the Serial Number of the entry of the elector in the electoral roll and not read out his/her name and other particulars from the slip. Thereafter, the Polling Officer should ask the person to announce his/her name loudly and if necessary other particulars relating to the entry so as to ensure that he/she is the genuine voter producing the identity slip. If full satisfaction is not obtained, the person may be directed to present himself before the Presiding Officer, who should make a further probe to satisfy himself about the identity of the elector. The Presiding Officer should not hesitate to hand over the elector to the police in case he is proved to be an impersonator.

1.5 In case there are large number of women electors especially ‘purdahnashin’ women, a woman Polling Officer should be appointed to carry out the above duties in a separate enclosure as instructed in Chapter IV.

1.6 Though normally a voter coming to a polling station is presumed to be the genuine voter, this presumption is not irrebuttable. If from the surrounding circumstances like the difference in the age of the elector given in the electoral roll and the age of the person as ascertainable from his appearance, the Polling Officer entertains any doubt about the identity of the voter before him, he should satisfy himself about the real identity and the genuineness of the voter. In such a case he should not accept the identity of the voter on the mere production of the identity slip and should refer the matter to the presiding officer for his decision. Otherwise also, the Polling Officer should make test check of identity of voters with reference to unofficial identity slips brought by them.

List of dead, absent and allegedly bogus voters. :
It is expected that polling agents may bring with them a copy of the list of the names of dead, absent and allegedly bogus voters. The candidate or his party may supply similar list to you. If any person claims to be a voter whose name is mentioned in that list you shall check that person’s identity rigorously. This will not amount to a formal challenge.

Challenging a voter’s identity :

Every person whose name is entered in the electoral roll is entitled to vote at the election. Unless, there is a challenge by a candidate or his election or polling agents, or unless you are clearly satisfied that he is a bogus voter it should normally be presumed that the person claiming to be a voter and giving out the name and other details correctly is that voter. If there is a challenge or if you feel any reasonable doubt about the identity of the person from the surrounding circumstances, you should hold a summary inquiry and decide the question.