DIMAPUR — The second round of training for polling officials in preparation for the upcoming bye-election to the 43 Tapi Assembly Constituency (AC) in Mon was conducted at Mon town hall on October 31.
The training was facilitated by a team of trainers, stated a DIPR report.
It stated that several crucial points were imparted to the polling officials to ensure the smooth and fair conduct of the election during the training session. The importance of establishing separate entrances and exits for voters to maintain the confidentiality of their votes was emphasized, while the polling agents should not be positioned in a way that allow them to witness voters casting their votes.
Proper placement of voting compartments was discussed to ensure privacy during the voting process.
The polling officials were given responsibilities to set up polling station, set up electronic voting machine (EVM) and voter verifiable paper audit trail (VVPAT), conduct mock poll, seal the EVM machine, conduct of poll and periodically check the control unit (CU).
They were also given charge of the marked copy and the identification of electors, indelible ink and issuance of voter slips, handling challenged votes, tendered votes, voting by blind and informed voters, and closing the polling station at the designated time.
The training session began with a welcome address delivered by the deputy commissioner and district election officer (DEO) of Mon, Ajit Kumar Verma, wherein he made suggestions on how to conduct and cast votes in a free and fair manner. He also advised the polling officials to have a thorough understanding of the election procedures and to be well-prepared.
The additional deputy commissioner (ADC) and electoral registration officer (ERO) of Mon, Temjennaro Longkumar, and sub-divisional officer (SDO) and returning officer (RO) of Mon, Rongsenmenla, also provided insights into the peaceful conduct of the bye-election.
The training session included hands-on training on electronic voting machines (EVMs) and voter verifiable paper audit trails (VVPATs) to familiarise polling officials with the voting equipment.
