Bhathiya Barukanda
Following the instructions of the Election Commission of India (ECI) in ensuring strict compliance on the poll day, the Election Department of Meghalaya in a notification on Tuesday has prohibited voters from carrying mobile phones inside the polling stations.
Addressing a seminar organized by Sri Lanka Press Association themed ‘Media Role in Ensuring Free and Fair Presidential Election’, Commission’s Chairman R. M. A. L. Rathnayake said the person who released the marked postal ballot paper is now under arrest.
“We have observed such a trend of marked ballot papers being released online during postal voting. We want to prevent that on the day of polling,” Rathnayake said.
Only Observer/Micro Observer, Presiding Officer and security personnel are allowed to carry mobile phones but they will keep their mobile phones in silent mode, added the notification.
The notification further stated that instructions are to be strictly enforced and complied with, in view of the apprehension amongst many that voters may misuse their mobile phones inside the voting compartment, while casting their votes.
