EC to track polling agents' movement during duty

In order to ensure poll agents keep strict vigil on the election process, special "movement sheets" will be used in the two ultimate phases of the 2014 Lok Sabha elections to log their entry and exit into the booths, an Election Commission official said Tuesday.

According to West Bengal chief electoral officer Sunil Gupta, such "polling agents/relieving agents movement sheet" will be provided in each polling booth as per the Election Commission's directive.

"The observer, sector magistrate, senior officers who visit the polling station during the course of poll shall also ensure that the aforesaid sheet is being properly maintained," he told reporters here.

"Each and every polling agent shall be required to sign indicating the time at which he/she came to the polling station and also when he or she left the polling station," he said.

In addition, the contact numbers of returning officers/assistant returning officers/police officers/sector officers/control rooms shall be displayed at the stations so that if polling agents have any complaint, they can call them for immediate intervention.

Also, poll officers will be allowed to go out of the booths after 3 p.m.

Previously, according to Commission's mandate, poll personnel were prohibited from leaving their designated station after 3 p.m. even to attend calls of nature.

Gupta also reiterated the commission's directive permitting presiding officers to "use the presence of" central armed police force or state police in case of any untoward incidents obstructing a free and fair poll process.