As part of the arrangement, “very simple pigeonhole boxes or jute bags will be provided near the entrance door of the polling station, where the voters will be required to deposit their mobile phones”, the ECI said noting that the hand-held device would not be allowed to be carried inside the polling station by voters.However, certain Polling Stations can be exempted from this provision based on adverse local circumstances by the Returning Officer, it said.According to the ECI, Rule 49M of the Conduct of Elections Rules, 1961, which ensures secrecy of voting within the polling station, will continue to be strictly enforced.In addition to this, with an aim to improve polling-day facilitation, the ECI has rationalised the permissible norms for canvassing in line with the electoral laws to 100 meters from the entrance of the polling station.Therefore, the booths set up by the candidates on poll day for issuing unofficial identity slips to electors, in case the electors are not carrying their official Voter Information Slips (VIS) issued by the Commission, can now be set up beyond 100 meters of any polling station, it said.
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