ITANAGAR, Nov 28: In a first for Arunachal Pradesh, the State Election Commission (SEC) has introduced an on-the-spot voting facility for personnel assigned to election duty in the upcoming municipal polls, replacing the traditional postal ballot system. The move aims to ensure that all officials engaged in election-related responsibilities retain their right to vote without logistical hurdles.
According to an order issued by SEC Secretary Taru Talo, polling personnel from Itanagar and Pasighat—the two municipal areas heading to the polls—must apply for the facility at least three days before polling, submitting a copy of their election duty appointment order to the respective Municipal Returning Officer (MRO).
After verifying the identity and appointment details, the MRO will mark the voter on the electoral roll and issue a ballot paper for immediate on-site voting. The MRO will also determine the date, time, and venue for the voting process, while ensuring that contesting candidates or their authorised representatives are informed and present during the procedure.
Voters may cast their ballots either by sealing the ballot paper in an envelope provided by the MRO or using a ballot box under the Election Duty Certificate (EDC) mechanism. Counterfoils of ballot papers will be kept in sealed covers to maintain security and transparency. The order has been invoked under the plenary powers of Article 243ZA of the Constitution.
Arunachal Pradesh will simultaneously hold the 12th panchayat general elections and the third municipal polls for Itanagar and Pasighat on December 15. The state has 8,31,648 eligible voters, including over 72,000 municipal electors. Voting will take place across 2,171 panchayat polling stations, 67 stations for the Itanagar Municipal Corporation (IMC), and 12 for the Pasighat Municipal Council (PMC). While municipal polls will use EVMs, panchayat elections will be conducted with ballot boxes.
Over 40,000 personnel, including 15,000 polling staff, will be deployed for the massive polling exercise. Counting of votes is scheduled for December 20.
