Assembly Elections: Election Commission issues do's and don'ts for poll officers

The Election Commission has directed all its officers and poll observers of the five poll-bound states to be dressed appropriately and be meticulous in their conduct during election duty. The panel also directed all the officers and personnel to “remain courteous and polite in their interactions” and “speak precisely and cogently” on the issues at hand.

In a two-page directive to their officers of five states -- Punjab, Goa, Uttar Pradesh, Manipur and Uttrakhand, the election body stated, “All officers and personnel participating in any such meeting, review, workshop or conference of the commission shall maintain highest standards of decorum, proper dress, official protocol and impeccable personal and professional conduct at all times befitting a responsible government servant.”

The election body also issued directives to the officers and observers on how they should attend meetings, conferences, seminar and workshops of the commission. “All officers and personnel shall remain positively attentive and focused during proceedings in the commission meeting,” the note stated. 

The commission also asked the officers and personnel, participating in meetings of the panel, to come thoroughly prepared with the subject.  

The commission also noted that all meetings conducted by the panel for monitoring, reviewing or assessing any election related issue or subject are strictly formal occasions requiring dignified demeanour and conduct.

“Strict punctuality must be ensured and all officers and personnel attending the commission's meeting must take their seats at least 10 minutes before the arrival of the commission,” the commission stated.

Further on lines of the Prime Minister's Office banning use of mobile phones in cabinet meetings, the commission directed the electoral officers to keep their mobile switched off during official meetings and conferences. 

It stated: “The use of mobiles phones during the commission’s meeting is strictly prohibited and all officers must ensure that their mobiles are kept in switch -off mode silent mode to prevent any disturbance to the proceedings.”

The commission decision is aimed at preventing leak of any sensitive information about the decisions and matters related to election.

The Commission also issued various directions towards “enhancement of overall efficiency and effectiveness of election administration.”

The panel also directed the observers and officers to download and install mobile networking application Whatsapp on their mobile phones. “All observers must frequently access the Whatsapp group and convey all urgent election related information through this platform also, besides submission of detailed reports through Observer Portal and email and fax,” stated the two page directives to all the chief election officers and observers stated. 

It further stated that information regarding any important incident having election related implication must immediately be brought to the notice of the commission through the Whatsapp group. The election body also stated that the facility of near-instant and faithful transmission of data through Whatsapp must be used “intelligently and constructively” to keep an alert and vigilant eye on the election process in the field. The commission also issued strict warning not to use the platform for exchanging “trivia or frivolous pleasantries”.

It also warned that “no top secret or sensitive information will be shared on Whatsapp”. “In case of such information, the matter will be briefed to Chief Election Officer or Director General over phone,” the panel stated.