[1]

G-468/1

R.N.I. No. TELMUL/2016/73158.

[Price : `

` `

` `. 110-00 Paise.

HSE.No.1051/2017-19.

RULES SUPPLEMENT TO PART-I

EXTRA ORDINARY

THE TELANGANA GAZETTE

PUBLISHED BY AUTHORITY

No. 25 ]

HYDERABAD, SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 2, 2019.

NOTIFICATIONS BY GOVERNMENT

–––x–––

MUNICIPAL ADMINISTRATION & URBAN DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT

(MA)

–––x–––

THE TELANGANA MUNICIPALITIES AND MUNICIPAL CORPORATIONS (CONDUCT OF ELCTION

OF MEMBERS) RULES, 2019.

[G.O.Ms.No.262, Municipal Administration & urban Develoment (MA), 2^nd November, 2019].

In exercise of the powers conferred by Section 238 read with clause (26) of Section 2, Sections 10, 194, 195

and 196 of the Telangana Municipalities Act, 2019 (Act 11 of 2019) and in supersession of the rules issued in

G.O.Ms.No.666, M.A. dated the 11th July, 2005, as amended from time to time, the Governor of Telangana, hereby

makes the rules for the conduct of election of Members to Municipalities and Corporations in the State, as annexed

to this orders.

TELANGANA GAZETTE

[Part I

Annexure

THE TELANGANA MUNICIPALITIES AND MUNICIPAL CORPORATIONS

(CONDUCT OF ELECTION OF MEMBERS) RULES, 2019

INDEX

Rule No.

Marginal heading

Page No.

CHAPTER – I

(Preliminary)

Short title and Application

Definitions

8-9

CHAPTER-II

(General Provisions)

Administrative Machinery for the Conduct of Elections

Display of voters list

Issue of election notice by the Returning Officer

Special Election Programme

Nomination of Candidates

9-10

Presentation of Nomination Paper and Requirements of valid

Nominations

Deposits

10-11

Publication of list of nominations received

Scrutiny of Nomination Papers

11-12

Appeal against rejection of Nomination

Withdrawal of candidature

Preparation and Publication of list of Contesting candidates

12-13

Declaration of Result of Uncontested Election

Death of candidate before poll

Appointment of Election Agent

Appointment of Polling Agent

Appointment of Counting Agent

Prohibition for appointment as Election Agent , Polling Agent and

Counting Agent

14-15

Rights of candidates and his/her Election Agent

Non-attendance of Agents

November 2, 2019]

RULES SUPPLEMENT

CHAPTER – III

( Postal Ballot )

Voting by postal ballot

Electors under preventive detention

Intimation by voters on election duty

15-16

Form of Postal Ballot Paper

Issue of Postal Ballot Paper

Recording of Vote

16-17

Assistance to illiterate or infirm voters

Re-issue of Ballot Paper

Return of Ballot paper

Safe custody of postal ballots

CHAPTER - IV

Voting at Polling Station

Right to vote (Voting to be in person)

Form of Ballot Paper

Arrangements at polling station

Admission to Polling Station

Preparation of Ballot Boxes

18-19

Demonstration of the marked copy of the electoral roll

Facilities for woman electors

Identification of electors

Facilities for public servants on election duty

Challenging of Identity

19-20

Safeguards against personation

Distinguishing Mark

Issue of ballot paper

20-21

Maintenance of secrecy of voting by electors and voting procedure

Recording of votes of Blind or infirm voters

Spoilt and returned ballot papers

Tendered votes

Closing of Poll and sealing of Ballot Boxes and covers after poll

Account of ballot papers

22-23

TELANGANA GAZETTE

[Part I

Delivery of ballot boxes to Returning Officer

Procedure on adjournment of poll

Fresh Poll in case of destruction of ballot boxes or Electronic Voting

Machines

Counting of votes

23-24

Counting of Postal Ballot Papers

24-25

Grounds for rejection of ballot papers

Preparation of Final Results Sheet

Recount of Votes

25-26

Equality of Votes

Declaration of result of election and return of election

Grant of Election Certificate

Publication of Results

Sealing of used ballot papers

Disposal of Ballot Papers

CHAPTER V

(Voting by Electronic Voting Machines)

Design of Voting Machine

Preparation of Voting Machine by the Returning Officer

Arrangements at the Polling Stations

27-28

Admission to Polling Station

Preparation of voting machine for poll

Marked copy of electoral roll

Facilities for Women electors

Identification of electors

Facilities for public servants on election duty

Challenging of Identity

Safeguard against personation

28-29

Procedure for voting by voting machines

Maintenance of secrecy of voting by electors within the polling

station and voting procedure

Procedure in case of complaint about particulars printed on paper

slips

Recording of votes of blind or infirm electors

Elector deciding not to vote

November 2, 2019]

RULES SUPPLEMENT

Tendered Votes

30-31

Presiding Officer’s entry in the voting compartment during poll

Closing of poll

Account of votes recorded

Sealing of voting machine after poll

Sealing of other packets

31-32

Transmission of voting machines, etc., to the Returning Officer

Procedure on adjournment of poll

Closing of voting machines in case of booth capturing

Scrutiny and inspection of voting machines

Counting of votes

32-33

Scrutiny of Paper Trail

Sealing of Voting Machines

Sealing of voting machine with DMM/ SDMM facility where CUs and

BUs are reused

33-34

Custody of voting machines or DMMs/SDMMs and papers relating

to election

Production and Inspection of Voting Machines or DMMs/SDMMs

and election papers

Safe custody of Voting Machines or DMMs/SDMMs and all other

packets

34-35

100

Power of the State Election Commission to issue directions

CHAPTER - VI

(Miscellaneous)

101

Interpretation of rules

102

Particulars of account of election expenses

103

Notice by the District Election Authority for inspection of accounts

104

Inspection of account and the obtaining of copies thereof

105

Report by the District Election Authority as to the lodging of the

account of election expenses and the decision of the State Election

Commission thereon

35-36

106

Maximum Election Expenses

107

Oath of the Members

108

Secrecy of voting not to be infringed

TELANGANA GAZETTE

[Part I

List of Forms

Form

No.

Description in Brief

Page No.

Notice of Election for the office of Ward Member,

Municipality/Corporation

37-38

Nomination Paper for the Office of Member,

Municipality/Corporation

39-43

III

Publication of List of Nominations

List of Validly Nominated Candidates

Notice of Withdrawal of Candidature

Publication of Notice of Withdrawal of Candidature

VII

List of Contesting Candidates

VIII

Declaration of Result of Uncontested Election

Appointment of Election Agent

IX A

Revocation of Appointment of Election Agent

Appointment of Polling Agent

52-53

X A

Revocation of Appointment of Polling Agent

Appointment of Counting Agent

55-56

XI A

Revocation of Appointment of Counting Agent

XII

Application for Postal Ballot

XIII

Application for Election Duty Certificate

XIV

Format of Election Duty Certificate

a) Declaration by Elector - for Postal Ballot

61-62

XVI

b) Cover - A in Form XVI - for Postal Ballot

XVII

c) Cover - B addressed to the Returning Officer in Form XVII - for

Postal Ballot

November 2, 2019]

RULES SUPPLEMENT

XVIII

d) Instructions for the guidance for the elector in Form XVIII - for

Postal Ballot

65-66

XIX

List of Challenged Votes

Declaration by the Companion of Blind or Infirm Voter

XXI

List of Blind or Infirm Voters

XXII

List of Tendered Votes (when ballot boxes are used)

XXIII

Ballot Paper Account (when ballot boxes are used)

71-73

XXIV

Final Result Sheet (to be used for recording the result where

counting is done polling station wise)

Final Result Sheet (to be used when the counting of votes is done

by mixing)

75-76

XXV

Declaration of Result of Election

XXVI

Return of Election

XXVII

Certificate of Election

XXVIII

XXIX

Form of declaration by Elector

XXX

List of Tendered Votes (when EVMs are used)

STATUTORY FORMS CAN BE USED WHERE EVMS ARE USED

XXXI

Account of Votes Recorded (When EVMs are used)

83-86

XXXI

Account of Votes Recorded (where EVMs & VVPATs are used)

XXXII

Oath of Member

TELANGANA GAZETTE

[Part I

ANNEXURE

THE TELANGANA MUNICIPALITIES AND MUNICIPAL CORPORATIONS

(CONDUCT OF ELECTION OF MEMBERS) RULES, 2019

CHAPTER – I

PRELIMINARY

Short title application and commencement:-

(1) These Rules may be called the Telangana Municipalities and Municipal Corporations (Conduct of Election

of Members) Rules, 2019.

(2) These rules shall come into force from the date of publication in the Telangana Gazette.

(3) These rules shall apply to all the Municipalities and Municipal Corporations in the State except Greater

Hyderabad Municipal Corporation.

Definitions:- (1) In these rules, unless the context otherwise requires –

(a)

‘Act’ means the Telangana Municipalities Act, 2019;

(b)

‘Assistant Returning Officer’ means an officer appointed by the State Election Commission to do

any act or perform any function in connection with the conduct of elections under these rules.

Explanation:- The State Election Commission or an Authority Authorised by State Election Commission

may appoint one or more persons who shall be an Officer or Officers of the local authority or the Government, as

Assistant Returning Officer or Officers to assist the Returning Officer in the performance of his/her functions and

every Assistant Returning Officer so appointed shall, subject to the control of the Returning Officer, be competent to

perform all or any of the functions of the Returning Officer except the scrutiny of nominations and the expression

Returning Officer shall be deemed to include such Assistant Returning Officer also.

(c)

‘Government’ means the state Government of Telangana;

(d)

‘Ballot box’ includes any box, bag or other receptacle used for the insertion of ballot papers by voters;

(e)

‘Counterfoil’ means the counterfoil attached to a ballot paper printed under the provisions of these rules;

(f)

“Detachable Memory Module (DMM) / Secured Detachable Memory Module (SDMM)” means

such electronic memory device which is attached to the control unit of electronic voting machine and keeps

the election data safely in secured manner.

(g)

‘Election’ means an election to fill a vacancy in the office of Member of Municipality or Corporation;

(h)

‘Elector’ in relation to an election to any Municipality or Corporation means, a person in the electoral roll

of the ward concerned for the time being in force and who is not subject to any disqualification for voting;

(i)

‘Electoral Roll’ in relation to a Municipality or Corporation means, the electoral roll published under

section 195-Aof the Act;

(j)

‘Electronic Voting Machine’ means the voting machine referred to in section 196 of the Act;

(k)

‘Form’ means a form appended to these rules;

(l)

‘Marked copy of the electoral roll’ means the copy or copies of the electoral roll set apart for the

purpose of marking the names of electors to whom ballot papers are issued at an election or to whom

access is allowed to Electronic Voting Machines in order to exercise their franchise.

(m)

‘Polling station’ in relation to any election held under these rules means, the place fixed for taking the poll

at such election;

(n)

‘Presiding Officer’, includes any polling officer performing any of the functions of a Presiding Officer

under these rules;

(o)

‘Public Holiday’ means any day declared as such by the Government;

(p)

‘Section’ means a section of the Act;

(q)

‘Voter Verifiable Paper Audit Trail (VVPAT)’ means Voter verifiable Paper Audit Trail System which

enables the voter to physically verify the vote cast by herself/himself in addition to keeping a physical

record of the ballot enabling manual counting of votes in specified circumstances.

November 2, 2019]

RULES SUPPLEMENT

(2) The words and expressions used but not defined in these rules shall have the same meaning assigned to

them in the Act.

(3) For the purpose of these rules, a person who is unable to write his/her name shall, unless otherwise

expressly provided in these rules, be deemed to have signed an instrument or other paper, if –

(a)

he/she has placed a mark on such instrument or other paper in the presence of the Returning Officer or

the Presiding Officer or such other Officer specified in these rules;

(b)

such Officer on being satisfied as to his/her identity has attested the mark as being the mark of that

person.

CHAPTER – II

GENERAL PROVISIONS

Administrative Machinery for the Conduct of Elections:- The Administrative Machinery for the purpose

of conducting elections under these rules, shall be such as may be specified by the State Election Commission,

by an order made under Article 243 ZA of the Constitution of India.

Display of voters list:- The Returning Officer shall affix a notice on the notice board of his/her office,

showing the voters list thereof, or of any ward(s) thereof, notified for elections, on the day of publication of

election notice under Section 195 of Telangana Municipalities Act, 2019.

Issue of Election Notice by the Returning Officer:- The Returning Officer shall, on the basis of the

election notification issued by the State Election Commission under Section 195, shall give public notice of

the intended elections for Wards of Municipality or Municipal Corporation in Form-I in English & Telugu

languages which shall be published in such manner as the Returning Officer thinks fit.

Special Election Programme:- Not withstanding anything contained in these rules, where the election

process is interrupted or the election programme has to be altered on account of the orders of any court of

law or for other valid reasons to be recorded in writing, it shall be competent for the State Election Commission

either generally or in respect of all or any of the wards of a Municipality or Corporation to alter the election

programme notified under sub-section (2) of section 195 and to re-notify the election programme as it

deems fit in the circumstances of the case without having regard to the guidelines mentioned in said rule and

the Returning Officer shall give effect to the same:

Provided that where the election programme is re-notified under this rule commencing from the making of

nominations, the nominations already made shall be disregarded and the deposits, if any, made under Rule 9

shall be refunded.

Nomination of Candidates:- (1) Any person may be nominated as a candidate for election to the office

of Member of Municipality or Municipal Corporations if he/she is qualified to be chosen to fill the seat under

the provisions of the Act. Every nomination paper shall be in Form II. This shall be presented by the

candidate or by his/her proposer in person, between the hours specified, and signed by the candidate and by

the proposer. The candidate shall sign the declaration on the nomination paper expressing his/her willingness

to stand for the election. The Returning Officer or such other authorised person shall forthwith number the

nomination papers serially in the order in which they are presented and enter on each nomination paper, the

time at which it is presented. He shall give a receipt for the same as per Part VI of the Form-II.

(2) (a)

A candidate for the office of Member of Municipality or Municipal Corporations shall be a person

whose name is registered in the electoral roll for that Municipality or Municipal Corporation, as the case

may be.

(b)

The proposer for member of a ward shall be a registered voter in the concerned ward.

(c)

A candidate for the office of Member of Municipality or Municipal Corporation, which is reserved, to be

filled by a person belonging to the Scheduled Tribes or Scheduled Castes or Women or Backward

Classes, as the case may be, shall not be deemed to be qualified to be chosen to fill that seat unless his/

her nomination paper contains a declaration in Form-II by him specifying the particular tribe or caste or

class of which he is a member and the area in relation to which that Tribe or Caste is a Scheduled Tribe

or as the case may be, a Scheduled Caste or Backward Class of the State. This declaration shall be

made before any Gazetted Officer of the Government or before any Officer of the Revenue Department

not below the rank of a Deputy Tahasildar.

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TELANGANA GAZETTE

[Part I

A copy of the caste certificate issued by competent Authority.

(d)

Each candidate shall be nominated on a separate nomination paper.

(e)

A candidate may be nominated by more than one nomination paper but not more than four nomination

papers for election for the same office of Ward Member.

(f)

A candidate may be nominated by more than one proposer separately for the same elective post in a

separate nomination paper.

(g)

A voter can propose only one candidature.

(3)

A candidate may file nominations for more than one ward in a Municipality or Municipal Corporation, but he/

she shall withdraw his/her nominations to all but one Ward of his/her choice, before the date and time fixed

for withdrawal of candidature, failing which, all his/her nominations shall become invalid and shall not be

allowed to contest from any Ward.

(4) Every nomination paper shall be presented by the candidate in person or by his/her proposer on the date, at

the place and during the hours appointed, to the Returning Officer or to such other person as may be

authorised by him/ her in this behalf.

Presentation of Nomination Paper and Requirements of Valid Nominations:-

(1)

On receiving nomination paper, the Returning Officer shall forthwith number the nomination paper

serially in the order in which it is presented and give a receipt as provided in Form-II. The Returning

Officer or such other authorised person shall satisfy himself / herself that the name and serial number

of the candidate and his/her proposer, as entered in the nomination paper, are the same as those entered

in the electoral roll ignoring clerical mistakes if any. Where necessary, he shall direct that the nomination

form be amended so as to be in accordance with the electoral roll.

(2)

The Returning Officer may while interpreting an entry in the electoral roll overlook merely clerical or

printing errors, but he shall record the interpretation adopted by him, together with the reasons therefor,

while making the formal acceptance or rejection on scrutiny of a nomination.

(3)

Every candidate shall, along with the nomination paper also file a declaration with regard to his/her

criminal antecedents, assets and liabilities and educational qualifications as required by the State Election

Commission and in the prescribed format attested by two witnesses.

Deposits:- (1) The State Election Commission may, before ordinary election, by notification, specify the

amount of deposit, which each candidate has to make and different amounts may be specified for different

categories of candidates. At or before the time of presentation of his/her nomination paper each candidate

shall remit or cause to be remitted the specified amount of deposit, in any Government Treasury or Bank to

the credit of the concerned Municipality or Municipal Corporation. The Returning Officer shall furnish the

details of the Municipal Account to which the deposit is required to be credited. No candidate shall be

deemed to be duly nominated, unless the deposit as aforesaid has been made:

Provided that where a candidate has been nominated in more than one nomination paper for an office, not

more than one deposit shall be required to be made.

Explanation:- The delivery to the Returning Officer of a receipt from Government Treasury or from the

Bank in which the concerned local body has an account, evidencing the payment by or on behalf of a candidate to

the credit of the Municipality or Municipal Corporation of the amount required to be deposited under this sub-rule

shall be deemed to be a deposit of such amount within the meaning of this sub-rule, made by or on behalf of such

candidate at the time of such delivery;

(2) If no nomination paper is received within the time appointed in that behalf, in respect of any person by

whom or on whose behalf the deposit referred to in sub-rule (1) has been made or if the nomination of any such

person is rejected, or if he withdraws his/her candidature in the manner and within the time specified in sub-rule (1)

of Rule 13, the deposit shall be returned immediately to the person by whom it was made, and if any candidate dies

before commencement of the poll, any such deposit if made by him/ her shall be returned to his/her legal representative,

if not made by the candidate, shall be returned to the person by whom it was made.

November 2, 2019]

RULES SUPPLEMENT

(3) If a candidate by whom or on whose behalf the deposit referred to in sub-rule (1) has been made, is not

elected and the number of valid votes polled by him/ her does not exceed one twentieth of the total number of valid

votes polled by all the candidates, the deposit shall be forfeited, to the Municipality or Municipal Corporation.

(4) The deposit made in respect of a candidate shall, if it is not forfeited under sub-rule (3) be returned to the

candidate or to the person who has made the deposit on his/her behalf as the case may be, within thirty days after

publication of the result of election.

(5) A deposit required to be returned to any person under sub-rule (2) or sub-rule (4) shall, if such person is

dead, be returned to his/her legal representative.

(6) Notwithstanding anything contained in this rule, immediately after publication of the result of election, the

Returning Officer or the person authorised by the District Collector in this behalf, shall pass an order as to whether

a deposit made under sub-rule (1) shall be refunded or forfeited. The executive authority concerned shall, within

thirty days from the date of publication of the result, return the deposit to the person who made the deposit or to his/

her legal representative when such deposit is refundable. In the case of forfeiture of deposit under sub-rule (3), the

Returning Officer shall communicate an order to the person concerned who made the deposit citing the reason for

such forfeiture.

(7) The amounts received towards election deposit, and credited to the Municipality or Municipal Corporation

fund shall be remitted to the Government Account by the Executive Authority concerned after deducting any refunds

made to the concerned for any reason provided under these rules.

10.

Publication of list of nominations received:- On the last day appointed for the receipt of nomination

papers and immediately after the hour fixed for their receipt is past, the Returning Officer or such other authorised

person shall publish at his/her office in English & Telugu languages a list in Form-III of all the nominations received,

with a notice that the nomination papers will be taken up by the Returning Officer for scrutiny at the Municipal

Office or any other specified place, and on the date and time appointed.

11.

Scrutiny of Nomination Papers:- (1) On the date appointed for scrutiny of the nominations, the candidate,

the proposer of each candidate and one other person duly authorised in writing by each candidate, may attend at such

time and place specified. No other person shall be entitled to be present. The Returning Officer may, however,

admit such other persons as he thinks fit to assist him. He shall give such persons all reasonable facilities to examine

the nomination papers of all the candidates, which have been received as aforesaid.

(2)

The Returning Officer shall then examine the nomination papers and shall decide on all objections

which may be made. Based on a summary enquiry on such objections or on his/her own motion as he thinks

necessary, reject any nomination on any of the following grounds, namely-

(i)

that the candidate is ineligible for election as a Member of the Municipality or Municipal Corporation

under Sections 12 of the Act; or

(ii)

that the name of the candidate is not registered in the electoral roll of the Municipality or Municipal

Corporation;

(iii)

that the name of the proposer is not registered in the electoral roll of the concerned ward of

Municipality or Municipal Corporation; or

(iv)

that the candidate or his/her proposer has failed to comply with any of the provisions of Rules 7, 8(3)

and 9;

(v)

that, in case the office is reserved for any community or women, the candidate does not belong to

that community or is not a women, as the case may be; or

(vi)

that the signature/thumb impression of the candidate or the proposer in the nomination paper is not

genuine:

Provided that the nomination of a candidate shall not be rejected merely on the ground of any incorrect

description of his/her name or of the name of his/her proposer, or of any other particulars relating to the candidate or

his/her proposer as entered in the electoral roll, if the identity of the candidate or proposer, as the case may be, is

otherwise established beyond reasonable doubt.

Provided further that the Returning Officer shall not reject any nomination paper on the ground of any defect

which is not of a substantial character.

TELANGANA GAZETTE

[Part I

(3)

The Returning Officer shall endorse on each nomination paper, his/her decision, accepting or rejecting

the same and, if the nomination paper is rejected, he/ she shall record in writing a brief statement of his/her reasons

for such rejection. The scrutiny shall be completed on the date appointed in this behalf and no adjournment of the

proceedings shall be allowed except where such proceedings are interrupted or obstructed by riot or open violence

or for causes beyond the control of the Returning Officer:

(4)

Immediately after all the nomination papers have been scrutinized and the decisions, accepting or

rejecting the same have been recorded, the Returning Officer shall prepare a list of validly nominated candidates,

and affix it on the notice board of his/her office in Form-IV. There shall be one entry only in respect of each validly

nominated candidate in the list, although more nomination papers than one in respect of him/ her may have been

accepted as valid. If none of the nomination papers is found valid on scrutiny, no name of the candidate should be

entered in the list.

12.

Appeal against rejection of Nomination:- A person whose nomination paper is rejected may prefer an

appeal against the decision of the Returning Officer before the District Election Authority or Additional District

Election Authority or Deputy District Election Authority as authorised by District Election Authority concerned on

the day immediately following the date of scrutiny of nominations. The appeal shall be disposed off by the appellate

authority the day immediately following the date of filing of appeal.

13.

Withdrawal of Candidature:- (1) Any candidate may withdraw his/her candidature by notice in writing in

Form-V signed by him/her and delivered to the Returning Officer by such candidate in person at any time after the

presentation of his/her nomination paper and not later than 3-0’ Clock in the afternoon of the third day succeeding

that appointed for scrutiny of the nominations whether or not it is a public holiday. Where such notice is not delivered

by such candidate in person, it shall be delivered by his/her proposer or Election Agent who has been specifically

authorised in this behalf in writing by such candidate. The Returning Officer shall give a receipt for the same as

provided in Form–V on being satisfied as to the genuineness of the notice of withdrawal and the identity of the

candidate.

(2) The Returning Officer on receiving a notice of withdrawal under sub-rule (1) shall, as soon as may be,

cause a notice of the withdrawal to be published in Form-VI to be affixed on the notice board of the Municipal

Office

(3) A candidate who has withdrawn his/her candidature under sub-rule (1) shall not be allowed to cancel the

withdrawal.

14.

Preparation and Publication of list of Contesting candidates:- (1) On the expiry of the time allowed

for withdrawal of candidature under Rule 13 the Returning Officer shall prepare in English & Telugu languages in

Form-VII a list of persons whose nominations have not been rejected and who have not withdrawn their candidature

and publish it on the notice board of his/her office forthwith whether or not it is a public holiday. The list shall contain

the names of the candidates in alphabetical order in Telugu and shall describe them as in their nomination paper.

(2)

In the election to Member of the Municipality or Municipal Corporation, for the purpose of listing,

the names of the candidates shall be classified as follows namely-

(i)

candidates of recognized National and State political parties registered with TSEC;

(ii)

candidates of political parties registered in the TSEC with a reserved symbol;

(iii)

candidates of political parties registered with TSEC, without a reserved symbol;

(iv)

all others as Independent candidates.

(3) The arrangement of names of candidates shall be on the basis of first letter of his/her name irrespective

of whether the name given is a proper name or surname. The initials, if any, prefixed to the name of the candidate

shall be ignored for the aforesaid purpose. Further, if two or more such candidates have the same name but different

surnames in same category, then their names should be arranged inter-se in alphabetical order with reference to the

surnames. If two candidates in the same category have the same name and surname but different initials, then the

two names should be arranged inter se with reference to the first letter of the initial.

(4)

If two or more candidates falling under the same category bear the same name and surname /

initials they shall be distinguished by the addition of their occupation or residence or in some other manner. In the list

of contesting candidates, the names of such candidates shall be arranged in the order in which their nominations

were received by the Returning Officer.

November 2, 2019]

RULES SUPPLEMENT

There will also be no objection to the addition of any honorific, academic, hereditary, professional or any

other title to the name of a candidate, but such title should on no account be taken into consideration, in the arrangement

of names in alphabetical order.

(5)

If the poll is found to be necessary, the Returning Officer shall assign to each contesting candidate

a distinctive symbol subject to such directions as may be issued by the State Election Commission in that behalf.

Provided further that the Returning Officer shall assign to every contesting candidate a distinctive symbol as

per the provisions of paragraph 6 of the Registration of Political Parties and Allotment of Symbols Order, 2018, and

any other instructions issued by the State Election Commission in this behalf from time to time.

(6)

In every case where a symbol has been assigned to a candidate under sub-rule (5) such candidate

or his/her Election Agent shall forthwith be informed of the symbol so assigned and be supplied with a specimen

thereof by the Returning Officer.

15.

Declaration of Result of Uncontested Election:- (1) If the number of contesting candidates is more than

one, poll shall be taken.

(2)

If there is only one validly nominated candidate, the Returning Officer shall forthwith declare such

candidate as duly elected in Form-VIII and send the same to the State Election Commission, through the Election

Authority.

16.

Death of candidate before poll:-

(1)

Where an independent candidate or a candidate of a Registered Political Party without a reserved

symbol dies before the poll, it shall not be necessary to countermand the poll;

(2)

If a candidate, set up by a recognised or registered political party with a reserved symbol, -

(i)

dies at any time after 10.00 AM on the last date of making nominations and his/her nomination

is found valid on scrutiny under rule 11;

(ii)

whose nomination has been found valid on scrutiny under rule 11 and who has not withdrawn

his/her candidature under rule 13 dies and in either case, a report of his/her death is received

at any time before the preparation and publication of the list of contesting candidate under rule

14; or

(iii)

dies as a contesting candidate and a report of his/her death is received before the

commencement of the poll,

the Returning Officer shall, upon being satisfied about the fact of the death of the candidate, by order, announce an

adjournment of the poll to a date to be notified later and report the same to the State Election Commission, Election

Authority and to the District Election Authority:

Provided that no order adjourning a poll shall be made in a case referred to in sub-rule (i) except after the

scrutiny of all the nominations including the nomination of the deceased candidate.

(3)

The State Election Commission shall, on receipt of a report from the Returning Officer under sub-

rule (2), call upon the recognized or registered political party with a reserved symbol as the case

may be, whose candidate has died, to nominate another candidate for the said poll within seven days

of issue of such notice to such recognized or registered political party and the provisions of section

195 and rules 7 to 14 shall, so far as may be, apply in relation to such nomination as they would apply

to other nominations;

Provided that no person who has given a notice of withdrawal of his/her candidature under sub-rule (1) of

rule 13 before the adjournment of the poll shall be ineligible for being nominated as a candidate for the election after

such adjournment.

(4) where a list of contesting candidates had been published under sub-rule (1) of rule 14 before the

adjournment of the poll, the Returning Officer shall again prepare and publish a fresh list of contesting

candidates under the aforesaid rule so as to include the name of the candidate who has been validly

nominated.

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[Part I

17.

Appointment of Election Agent :- (1) A candidate at an election may appoint any one person other than

himself / herself to be his/her Election Agent . The notice of such appointment shall be given in Form-IX by

forwarding the same in duplicate to the Returning Officer who shall return one copy thereof to the Election Agent

after affixing therein his/her seal and signature in token of his/her approval of the appointment.

(2) An Election Agent may perform such functions in connection with the election as are authorised by or

under these rules to be performed by an Election Agent.

(3) (i) Any revocation of the appointment of an Election Agent shall be signed by the candidate and shall

operate from the date on which it is lodged with the Returning Officer in Form-IXA

(ii) In the event of such revocation or of the death of an Election Agent the candidate may appoint

in like manner another person to be his/her Election Agent ; and when such appointment is made, notice

thereof shall be given in the manner laid down in sub-rule (1).

(4)

No person shall be appointed as Election Agent who is disqualified under section 12 excepting the

one mentioned in clause (f) of sub-provision (2) of provision 2 of schedule IV of said section.

18.

Appointment of Polling Agent:- (1) The number of polling agents that may be appointed by a contesting

candidate or his/her Election Agent , shall, in respect of each polling station, be one agent and a relief agent.

(2)

Every such appointment shall be made in Form-X and shall be made over to the polling agent for

production at the polling station.

(3)

No polling agent shall be admitted into the polling station unless he/she has delivered to the Presiding

Officer the instrument of his/her appointment under sub-rule (2) after duly completing and signing before the Presiding

Officer the declaration contained therein.

(4)

A polling agent may perform such functions in connection with the poll as are authorised by or

under these rules, to be performed by a polling agent.

(5)

Any revocation of the appointment of a polling agent shall be signed by the candidate or his/her

Election Agent, as the case may be. Such revocation shall operate from the date and time on which it is lodged with

the Returning Officer in Form-XA. In the event of such a revocation or of the death of a polling agent before the

close of the poll the candidate or his/her Election Agent may appoint another polling agent at any time before the poll

is closed and shall forthwith give notice of such appointment as laid down in sub-rule (1).

19.

Appointment of Counting Agent:- (1) Each candidate may appoint such number of counting agents at the

place or places fixed for counting as may be specified by the District Election Authority.

(2)

Every such appointment shall be made in Form-XI in duplicate one copy of which shall be forwarded

to the Returning Officer while the other copy shall be made over to the counting agent for production before the

Returning Officer not later than one hour before the time fixed for counting.

(3)

A counting agent may perform such functions in connection with the counting of votes as are

authorised by or under these rules to be performed by a counting agent.

(4)

Any revocation of the appointment of a counting agent shall be signed by the candidate or his/her

Election Agent as the case may be. Such revocation shall operate from the date on which it is lodged with the

Returning Officer in Form-XIA In the event of a revocation or of the death of a counting agent at any time before

the counting of votes is commenced, the candidate or his/her Election Agent may appoint another person as the

counting agent and when an appointment is made, a notice of such appointment in the manner prescribed above shall

be given to the Returning Officer.

20.

Prohibition for appointment as Election Agent , Polling Agent and Counting agent:- The following

persons, irrespective of whether he/she is provided with security or not or anything else shall not be appointed as

Election Agent , Polling Agent and Counting Agent of a candidate during an election:-

(i)

Any sitting Minister of Union and State Government;

(ii)

Sitting Member of Parliament;

(iii)

Sitting Member of Legislative Assembly/Legislative Council;

(iv)

Mayor of a Corporation, Chairperson of Municipality;

November 2, 2019]

RULES SUPPLEMENT

(v)

Chairperson of Zilla Praja Parishad and President of Mandal Praja Parishad, Sarpanch of a Gram

Panchayat or any sitting member of any Mandal Praja Parishad or Zilla Praja Parishad;

(vi)

Elected Chairperson of National/State/District co-operative Institution;

(vii)

Political functionaries appointed as Chairpersons of Central PSUs/State PSUs, Chairpersons of

Government Bodies, Government Pleader/ Additional Government Pleader;

(viii)

Any Government servant.

21.

Rights of candidates and his/her Election Agent :- (1) At every election where a poll is taken, each

contesting candidate at such election and his/her Election Agent shall have a right to be present at any polling station.

(2)

A contesting candidate him/herself or his/her Election Agent may do any act or thing which any

polling agent or the counting agent of such contesting candidate if appointed, would have been authorised by or under

these rules to do, or may assist any polling agent or counting agent of such contesting candidate in doing any such act

or thing.

22.

Non-attendance of Agents:- Where any act or thing is required or authorised by or under these rules to be

done in the presence of the polling or counting agents, the non-attendance of any such agent or agents at the time and

place appointed for the purpose shall not, if the act or thing is otherwise duly done, invalidate the act or thing done.

CHAPTER – III

POSTAL BALLOT

23.

Voting by Postal Ballot:- (1) At an election where a poll is taken, any member of the Armed Forces of the

Union or a member of the Armed Police Forces of the State serving outside the State may give his/her vote by a

postal ballot and such person shall not be entitled to give his/her vote in any other manner. The wife of any such

person may also give her vote by postal ballot.

(2) Such list which is last part of the concerned Assembly Constituency Electoral Roll shall be obtained from

the concerned District Election Authority.

24.

Electors under preventive detention:- (1) Subject to the other provisions of these rules, a voter of a

Ward may, if he is subject to preventive detention under any law for the time being in force, give his/her vote by

postal ballot at any election in such Ward where a poll is taken.

(2)

As soon as possible, after a notice is published under sub-section (4) of section 195 and rule 5, the

Returning Officer shall ascertain in writing from the District Collector whether any voter in that Municipality or

Municipal Corporation is subject to preventive detention under any law for the time being in force. The Collector

shall within five days from the date of receipt of such communication from the Returning Officer forward list of

names of any such voters in that Ward, if any, together with their addresses and the particulars about their place of

detention to the Returning Officer.

(3)

Any voter who is subject to preventive detention under any law for the time being in force or on his/

her behalf any member of his/her family may within ten days from the date of publication of the notice apply to the

Returning Officer of the Ward for permission to give his/her vote by postal ballot at the election. Every such application

shall specify the name of the voter, his/her address, his/her serial number in the electoral roll and the particulars

regarding his/her place of detention.

(4)

If the Returning Officer is satisfied that the person whose name has been forwarded under sub-rule

(2) or who has made an application under sub-rule (3) is under preventive detention and is a voter in the Ward to

which the election relates and is entitled to vote at such election, he / she shall permit such person to give his/her vote

at the election by postal ballot.

(5)

While granting any such permission, the Returning Officer shall, at the same time, put the letters

‘P.B.’ against his/her name in the marked copy of the electoral roll which means that a postal ballot has been issued.

25.

Intimation by voters on election duty:- (1) A registered voter in the Urban Local Body who is on

Election duty and who wishes to vote by post at an election shall send an application in Form–XII to the Returning

Officer so as to reach him/ her atleast seven days or such shorter period as the Returning Officer may allow before

the date of poll and if the Returning Officer is satisfied that the applicant is such public servant and voter on election

duty, he / she shall issue a postal ballot paper to him / her. The Returning Officer shall mark ‘P.B’ against his/her

name in the marked copy of the electoral roll to indicate that a postal ballot paper has been issued to him.

TELANGANA GAZETTE

[Part I

(2)

Where such voter, being on election duty in the Ward of a Municipality / Municipal Corporation of

which he/ she is an elector, wishes to vote in person at an election in a Ward and not by post, he/she shall send an

application in Form-XIII to the Returning Officer so as to reach him / her atleast four days, or such shorter period

as the Returning Officer may allow, before the date of poll; and if the Returning Officer is satisfied that the applicant

is such public servant and voter on election duty in the Ward, he/ she shall—

(a)

issue to the applicant an election duty certificate in Form-XIV;

(b)

mark ‘EDC’ against his/her name in the marked copy of the electoral roll to indicate that an election

duty certificate has been issued to him, and

(c)

Ensure that he is not allowed to vote at the polling station where he would otherwise have been

entitled to vote.

26.

Form of Postal Ballot Paper:- (1) Every postal ballot paper shall have a counterfoil attached thereto, and

the said ballot paper and the counterfoil shall be in such form, and the particulars therein shall be in such language or

languages as the State Election Commission may direct.

(2)

In the postal ballot paper below the last name of the candidate, None Of The Above (NOTA)

provision shall be provided in the manner prescribed by the State Election Commission for the benefit of those

electors who may wish to exercise the option of not voting for any of the contesting candidates in the fray.

27.

Issue of Postal Ballot Paper:- (1) The Returning Officer shall, in case of every voter who is entitled to

give his/her vote at the election by postal ballot, as soon as may be after the publication of list of contesting candidates

at the election, send by post under certificate of posting to each such voter a ballot paper together with –

a declaration in Form-XV

a cover in Form -XVI

a large cover addressed to the Returning Officer in Form-XVII

instructions for the guidance for the elector in Form-XVIII

Provided that the Returning Officer may in case of voter on election duty deliver the cover ballot paper and

forms or cause them to be delivered to such voter personally.

(2)

The Returning Officer shall, at the same time -

record on the counterfoil of the ballot paper, the number of the elector as entered in the marked

copy of the electoral roll;

mark the name of the elector in the marked coy of the electoral roll to indicate that a postal

ballot paper has been issued to him/ her without however recording therein the serial number of

the ballot paper issued to that elector; and

ensure that the elector to whom postal ballot paper is issued is not allowed to vote at a polling

station.

(3)

Every officer under whose care or through whom a postal ballot paper is sent shall ensure its

delivery to the addressee without delay.

(4)

After all the ballot papers are issued under this rule, the Returning Officer shall seal in a separate

packet, the counterfoils of the ballot papers issued to the voters entitled to vote under postal ballot and record on the

packet a brief description of its contents and the date on which it was sealed.

(5)

No election shall be invalid by the reason that a voter has not received his/her postal ballot paper.

28.

Recording of Vote:- (1) An elector who has received a postal ballot paper and desires to vote shall record

his/her vote on the ballot paper in accordance with the directions contained in Part-I of Form-XVIII and then

enclose it in the cover in Form-XVI.

(2)

The elector shall sign the declaration in Form-XV in the presence of, and have the signature attested

by, a stipendiary magistrate or such other officer specified below, as may be appropriate, to whom he is personally

known or to whose satisfaction he has been identified -

(a)

in the case of a service voter, such officer as may be appointed in this behalf by the Commanding

Officer of the unit, ship or establishment in which the voter or her husband, as the case may be, is

employed;

November 2, 2019]

RULES SUPPLEMENT

(b)

in the case of a voter on election duty, any gazetted officer or the Presiding Officer of the polling

station at which he /she is on election duty.

(c)

in the case of an elector under preventive detention, the Superintendent of the Jail or the Commandant

of the detention camp in which the elector is under detention; and

(d)

in any other case, such officer as may be notified by the State Election Commission.

29.

Assistance to illiterate or infirm voters:- (1) If an elector is unable through illiteracy, blindness or other

physical infirmity to record his/her vote on a postal ballot paper and sign the declaration, he shall take the ballot paper,

together with declaration and the covers received by him/ her to an officer competent to attest his/her signature

under sub-rule (2) of rule 28 and request the officer to record his/her vote and sign his/her declaration on his/her

behalf.

(2)

Such officer shall thereupon mark the ballot paper in accordance with the wishes of the elector in

his/her presence, sign the declaration on his/her behalf and complete the appropriate certificate contained in Form-

XV.

30.

Re-issue of Ballot Paper:- (1) When a postal ballot paper and other papers sent under Rule 27 are for any

reason returned undelivered, the Returning Officer may re-issue them by post under certificate of posting or deliver

them or cause them to be delivered to the elector personally on a request being made by him.

(2)

If any elector has inadvertently dealt with the ballot paper or any of the other papers sent to him/

her under Rule 27 in such a manner that they cannot conveniently be used, a second set of papers shall be issued to

him/ her after he has returned the spoiled papers and satisfied the Returning Officer of the inadvertence.

(3)

The Returning Officer shall cancel the spoiled papers so returned and keep them in a separate

packet after noting thereon the particulars of the election and the serial numbers of the cancelled ballot papers.

31.

Return of Ballot Paper:- (1) After an elector has recorded his/her vote and made his/her declaration

under Rule 28 or Rule 29 he/she shall return the ballot paper and declaration to the Returning Officer in accordance

with the instructions communicated to him/her in Part-II of Form-XVIII so as to reach the Returning Officer before

the hour fixed for the commencement of counting of votes.

(2)

If any cover containing a postal ballot paper is received by the Returning Officer after the expiry of

the time fixed in sub-rule (1), he/she shall note thereon the date and time of its receipt and shall keep all such covers

together in a separate packet.

32.

Safe Custody of postal ballots:- The Returning Officer shall keep in safe custody until the commencement

of the counting of votes all covers containing postal ballot papers received by him.

CHAPTER – IV

VOTING BY BALLOT

33.

Voting at Polling Station:- (1) If poll has to be taken, the Returning Officer shall appoint forthwith one

Presiding Officer and one or more polling officers at each polling station and may pay the remuneration as fixed by

the Government for their services:

Provided that if a polling officer is absent from the polling station, the Presiding Officer may appoint any

person who is present at the polling station other than a person who has been employed by or on behalf of or has been

otherwise working for a candidate in or about the election, to be the polling officer during the absence of the former

officer and inform the Returning Officer accordingly.

(2)

A polling officer shall, if so directed by the Presiding Officer perform all or any of the functions of

a Presiding Officer under these rules or any rules or orders made thereunder.

(3)

If the Presiding Officer, owing to illness or other unavoidable cause, is obliged to absent himself /

herself from the polling station, his/her functions shall be performed by such Polling Officer as has been previously

authorised by the Returning Officer to perform such functions during any such absence.

34.

Right to vote (Voting to be in person):- All electors voting at an election shall do so in person at the

polling station provided for them under the rules.

G-468/3

TELANGANA GAZETTE

[Part I

35.

Form of Ballot Paper:- (1) Every Ballot paper shall have a counterfoil attached thereto and the said ballot

paper and the counterfoil shall be in such form as the State Election Commission may, by order, direct.

(2)

In the ballot paper, below the last symbol, None of The Above (NOTA) provision shall be provided

and a symbol may also be assigned to it in the manner prescribed by the State Election Commission for the benefit of

those electors who may wish to exercise the option of not voting for any of the contesting candidates in the fray.

36.

Arrangements at Polling Station:- (1) Outside each polling station there shall be displayed prominently,-

(a)

a notice specifying the polling area, the serial number of electors in the relevant electoral roll who are

entitled to vote at the polling station; and

(b)

a copy of the list of contesting candidates with the serial numbers and the symbols assigned to them

and the seat for which the election is held.

(2)

At each polling station there shall contain voting compartment in which electors can record their

votes, screened from observation.

(3)

The names of the contesting candidates along with their symbols shall be displayed inside the polling

station, above the ballot box to enable the voter to exercise his/her franchise without difficulty.

(4)

The Returning Officer shall provide at each polling station sufficient number of ballot boxes, copies

of the electoral roll or such part thereof as contains the names of the electors entitled to vote at the polling station,

ballot papers, instruments for stamping the distinguishing mark on the ballot paper and articles necessary for electors

to mark the ballot papers, stationery and such forms as may be necessary.

37.

Admission to Polling Station:- (1) The Presiding Officer shall keep order at the polling station, shall see

that the election is fairly conducted, shall regulate the number of electors to be admitted at any one time inside the

polling station and shall exclude there from all persons other than,-

his/her polling officers and such persons as the Presiding Officer may, from time to time, admit for the

purpose of identifying electors;

other public servants on duty in connection with the election;

the candidates, their Election Agent s, and one polling agent of each candidate at a time;

a child in arms accompanying an elector;

a person accompanying blind or infirm voters who cannot move without help; and

persons authorised by the State Election Commission.

(2) Where a woman elector cannot be identified by the identification officers appointed for the purpose by

reason of her observing ‘purdah’ she may be required to be identified by any of women voter in the queue or local

women government employee unless she otherwise satisfies the Presiding Officer of her identity.

38.

Preparation of Ballot Boxes:-(1) Where a paper seal is used for securing a ballot box, the Presiding

Officer shall affix his/her own signature on the paper seal and obtain thereon the signature of such of the polling

agents present as are desirous of affixing the same.

(2) The Presiding Officer shall thereafter fix the paper seal so signed in the space meant therefor in the

ballot box and shall then secure and seal the box in such manner that the slit for the insertion of ballot piper therein

remains open.

(3) The seals used for securing a ballot box shall be affixed in such manner that after the box has been

closed, it is not possible to open it without breaking the seals.

(4) Where it is not necessary to use paper seals or securing the ballot boxes, the Presiding Officer shall

secure and seal the ballot box in such manner that the slit for the insertion of ballot papers remains open and shall

allow the polling agents present to affix, if they so desire, their seals.

(5) Every ballot box used at a polling station shall bear label both inside and outside marked with:-

(a)

the details of the Ward of the Municipality or Municipal Corporation;

(b)

the serial number and name of the polling station;

(c)

the serial number of the ballot box (to be filled in at the end of the poll on the label outside the ballot box

only); and

(d)

the date of poll.

November 2, 2019]

RULES SUPPLEMENT

(6) Immediately before commencement of the poll, the Presiding Officer shall demonstrate to the polling

agents and other persons present, that the ballot box is empty and bears the labels referred to in sub-rule (5)

(7) The ballot box shall then be closed, sealed, secured and placed in full view of the Presiding Officer and

polling agents.

(8) Before commencement of the poll, the Presiding Officer shall read to such persons as may be present

in the Polling stations, the provisions of section 212 of the Act, and shall explain the substance thereof in the main

language of the district.

39.

Demonstration of the marked copy of the electoral roll:- Immediately before commencement of the

poll, the Presiding Officer shall demonstrate to the polling agents and others present, the marked copy or, marked

copies of the electoral roll to be used during the poll does not contain:-

(a) any entry other than that made in pursuance of Rules 23, 24, and 25 ; and

(b) any mark other than the mark made in pursuance of those rules.

40.

Facilities for woman electors:- (1) Where a polling station is for both men and women electors, the

Presiding Officer may direct that they shall be admitted into the polling station alternately in separate batches.

(2) The Returning Officer or the Presiding Officer may appoint a woman to serve as an attendant at any

polling station to assist women electors and also to assist the Presiding Officer generally in taking the poll in respect

of women electors, and in particular, to help in searching any woman elector in case it becomes necessary.

41.

Identification of electors:– (1) The Presiding Officer may employ at the polling station such persons, as

he / she thinks fit to help identification of the electors or to assist him/ her otherwise in taking the poll.

(2) As each elector enters the polling station, the Presiding Officer or the polling officer authorised by him/

her in this behalf shall check the elector’s name, Photography and other particulars with the relevant entry in the

electoral roll and then call out the serial number, name and other particulars of the elector.

(3) Every elector shall produce identity card issued to him/her under the provisions of the Registration of

Electors Rules, 1960 made under the Representation of the People Act, 1950 or any such document as may be

specified, by order, by the State Election Commission before the Presiding Officer or the polling officer authorised

by him/ her in this behalf, in order to establish his/her identity at the polling station.

(4) In deciding the right of a person to cast his/her vote, the Presiding Officer or the polling officer, as the

case may be, shall over look the clerical or printing errors in an entry in the electoral roll if he/she is satisfied that such

person is identical with the elector to whom such entry relates.

42.

Facilities for public servants on election duty:- (1) The provisions of Rule 41 shall not apply to any

person who produces at the polling station an election duty certificate issued by Returning Officer and seeks permission

to cast his/her vote at that polling station although the polling station is different from the one where he/she is entitled

to vote.

(2)

On production of such certificate the Presiding Officer shall,

(a)

obtain thereon the signature of the person producing it;

(b)

have the person’s name and electoral roll number as mentioned in the certificate entered at the end of the

marked copy of the electoral roll; and

(c)

issue to him/ her a ballot paper, and permit him/ her to vote, in the same manner as for an elector entitled to

vote at that polling station.

43.

Challenging of Identity:- (1) Any polling agent may challenge the identity of a person claiming to be a

particular elector by first depositing a sum of five rupees(Rs.5/-) in cash with the Presiding Officer for each such

challenge.

(2)

On such a deposit being made, the Presiding Officer shall,

(a)

warn the person challenged of the penalty for personation;

(b)

read the relevant entry in the electoral roll in full and ask him/ her whether he is the person

referred to in the entry;

TELANGANA GAZETTE

[Part I

(c)

enter his/her name and address in the list of challenged votes in Form XIX; and

(d)

require him/ her to affix his/her signature in the said list.

(3)

The Presiding Officer shall thereafter hold a summary inquiry into the challenge and may for that

purpose -

(a)

require the challenger to adduce evidence in proof of the challenge and the person challenged

to adduce evidence in proof of his/her identity;

(b)

put the person challenged any question necessary for the purpose of establishing his/her

identify and require him/ her to answer them on oath; and

(c)

administer an oath to the challenger and any other person offering to give evidence.

(4)

If, after the inquiry, the Presiding Officer considers that the challenge has not been established, he

shall allow the person challenged, to vote; and if he considers that the challenge has been established, he/she shall

debar the person challenged from voting and handover him/her to the police for prosecution under relevant law.

(5)

If the Presiding Officer is of the opinion that the challenge is frivolous or has not been made in good

faith, he/she shall direct that the deposit made under sub-rule (1) be forfeited to the Government and in any other

case he shall return it to the challenger on the conclusion of the inquiry.

44. Safeguards against personation:- (1) Every elector about whose identity the Presiding Officer or the

Polling Officer, as the case may be, is satisfied shall allow–

(a) the inspection of his/her left fore-finger for existence of indelible ink mark if any, by the Polling

Officer; and

(b) if found blank, then allow an indelible ink mark to be put on his/her left fore-finger.

(2)

If any such elector —

(a)

refuses to allow such inspection of his/her left fore-finger; or

(b)

refuses to allow an indelible ink mark to be put on his/her left fore-finger; or

(c)

does any act in order to remove any such mark after it has been put; or

(d)

fails or refuses to produce his/her identity card or any other document specified by State

Election Commission to establish his/her identity under Rule 41 of these rules; or

(e) refuses to put his/her signature or thumb impression on the counterfoil;

he/she shall not be supplied with any ballot paper and shall not be allowed to record his/her vote at the election.

(3)

A person who already such a mark on his/her has left fore-finger at the time he enters the polling

station shall not be supplied with any ballot paper.

(4)

Any reference in this rule to the left fore-finger of an elector shall, in the case where the elector has

no left fore-finger be construed as a reference to another finger of his/her left hand and shall in the case whether

there are no fingers on his/her left hand be construed as a reference to the fore finger or any other finger on his/her

right hand and shall in the case where he has no finger on both the hands be construed as a reference to such

extremity of his/her right or left arm as he possesses.

45.

Distinguishing Mark:- Before a ballot paper is issued to an elector, the ballot paper and the counterfoil

attached thereto, shall be stamped on the back with such distinguishing mark as the State Election Commission may

direct and every ballot paper before it is issued shall be signed in full on its back by the Presiding Officer.

46.

Issue of Ballot Paper:- (1) At the time of issuing a ballot paper to an elector, the polling officer shall,-

(a)

record on its counterfoil the electoral roll number of the elector as entered in the marked copy of the

electoral roll, and

(b)

obtain the signature or thumb impression of that elector on the said counterfoil;

(c)

mark the name of the elector in the marked of the electoral roll to indicate that a ballot paper has been

issued to him /her, without however, recording therein the serial number of the ballot paper issued to the

elector:

November 2, 2019]

RULES SUPPLEMENT

Provided that, no ballot paper shall be delivered to an elector unless he/she has put his/her signature or thumb

impression on the counterfoil of that ballot paper.

(2)

No person in the polling station shall note down the serial numbers of the ballot papers issued to the

electors.

47.

Maintenance of secrecy of voting by electors and voting procedure:-

(1)

Every elector to whom a ballot paper has been issued under Rule 46 or any other provisions of these

rules shall maintain secrecy of voting within the polling station and for that purpose observe the voting procedure

hereinafter laid down.

(2)

The elector on receiving the ballot paper or papers, as the case may be, shall forthwith-

(a)

proceed to one of the voting compartments;

(b)

make a mark on the ballot paper with the instrument supplied for the purpose on or near the

symbol of the candidate for whom he intends to vote;

(c)

fold the ballot paper vertically first and thereafter horizontally so as to conceal his/her vote;

(d)

if required, show to the Presiding Officer the distinguishing mark on the ballot paper;

(e)

insert the folded ballot paper into the specified ballot box; and

(f)

leave the polling station by the exit provided.

(3)

Every elector shall vote without undue delay.

(4)

No elector shall be allowed to enter a voting compartment when another elector is inside it.

(5)

If an elector to whom a ballot paper has been issued refuses, after warning given by the Presiding

Officer to observe the procedure laid down in sub-rules (1) and (2), the ballot paper issued to him/ her shall, whether

he has recorded his/her vote thereon or not, be taken back from him/ her by the Presiding Officer or a polling officer,

under the direction of the Presiding Officer.

(6)

After the ballot paper has been taken back, the Presiding Officer shall record on its back the word

“Cancelled: voting procedure violated” and put his/her signature below these words and all such ballot papers shall

be kept in a separate cover which shall bear on its face the words “Ballot Papers - voting procedure violated”

(7)

Without prejudice to any other penalty to which an elector, from whom a ballot paper has been taken

back under sub-rule (5) may be liable, the vote, if any recorded on such ballot paper shall not be counted.

48.

Recording of votes of Blind or infirm voters:- (1) If the Presiding Officer is satisfied that owing to

blindness or other physical infirmity, an elector is unable to recognise the symbols on ballot paper or to make a mark

thereon without assistance, the Presiding Officer shall permit the elector to take with him/ her a companion of not

less than eighteen years of age to the voting compartment for recording vote on the ballot paper on his/her behalf and

in accordance with his/her wishes and if necessary, for folding the ballot paper so as to conceal the vote and insert

it into the ballot box:

Provided that no person shall be permitted to act as the companion of more than one elector at any polling

station on the same day:

Provided further that when any person is permitted to act as the companion of the elector on any day under

this rule, the person shall be required to declare in Form–XX that he shall keep secret the vote recorded by him/ her

on behalf of the elector and that he has not already acted as the companion of any other elector at any polling station

on that day.

(2)

The Presiding Officer shall keep a record of all cases under this rule in Form – XXI in sealed

covers and send them to the Returning Officer along with the other covers.

49.

Spoilt and returned ballot papers:- (1) An elector who has inadvertently dealt with his/her ballot paper in

such manner that it cannot be conveniently used as a ballot paper, may seek fresh ballot paper from the presiding

officer. The Presiding Officer on satisfying about the inadvertence, shall issue another ballot paper and the ballot

paper so returned and the counterfoil of such ballot paper shall be marked as “Spoilt: Cancelled” by the Presiding

Officer.

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[Part I

50.

Tendered Votes:- (1) If a person representing himself / herself to be a particular elector seeks to vote after

another person has already voted as such elector, he / she shall, on, satisfactorily answering such questions relating

to his/her identity as the Presiding Officer may ask, be entitled, subject to the following provisions of this rule, to mark

a ballot paper (hereinafter in these rules referred to as a “Tendered Ballot Paper) in the same manner as any other

elector.

(2)

Every such person, shall, before being supplied with a tendered ballot paper, sign his/her name

against the entry relating to him/ her in a list in Form-XXII

(3)

A tendered ballot paper shall be the same as the other ballot paper used at the polling except that it

shall be-

(a)

serially the last in the bundle of ballot papers issued for use at the polling station; and

(b)

endorsed on the back of the ballot paper and its counterfoil with the words “Tendered Ballot Paper”

by the Presiding Officer in his/her own hand and signed by him /her.

(4)

The elector, after marking a tendered ballot paper in the voting compartment and folding it, shall

instead of putting it into the ballot box, give it to the Presiding Officer, who shall place it in a cover specifically kept

for the purpose.

51.

Closing of Poll and Sealing of Ballot Boxes and covers after poll:- (1) The Presiding Officer shall

close the polling station at the hour appointed for closing and shall not thereafter admit any elector into the polling

station:

Provided that all electors present at the polling station before it is closed shall be allowed to cast their votes.

(2)

If any question arises whether an elector shall for the purpose of the provision to sub-rule (1) be

deemed was present at the polling station before it was closed, it shall be decided by the Presiding Officer and his/

her decision shall be final.

(3)

The Presiding Officer of each polling station, as soon as practicable, after the close of the poll, shall

close the slit of the ballot box and where the box does not contain any mechanical device for closing the slit, he/ she

shall seal up the slit and also allow any polling agent present to affix his/her seal. The ballot box shall thereafter be

sealed and secured.

(4)

Where it becomes necessary to use a second ballot box by reason of the first ballot box getting full,

the first box shall be closed, sealed and secured as provided in sub-rule (3) before another ballot box is put into use.

(5)

The Presiding Officer of each polling station, as soon as practicable, after the close of the poll, shall

in the presence of any candidate or polling agents who may be present make up the following into separate packets

and seal with his/her own seal and the seals of such candidates or agents as may desire to affix their seals,

(i)

the marked copy of the electoral roll;

(ii)

the counterfoils of used ballot papers;

(iii)

the unused ballot papers;

(iv)

the spoilt and returned ballot papers;

(v)

the list of challenged votes;

(vi)

the tendered ballot papers;

(vii)

the tendered votes list;

(viii)

the ballot papers cancelled for violation of voting procedure; and

(ix)

any other papers directed by the State Election Commission to be kept in a sealed cover/

packet.

(6)

Each packet shall be numbered and shall bear a note as to its contents, description of the election

and the polling stations. Where no vote has been recorded at any polling station, the Presiding Officer shall submit a

‘NIL’ report.

52.

Account of Ballot Papers:- (1) The Presiding Officer shall at the close of the poll prepare a ballot

paper account in Form-XXIII and place it in a separate cover with the words “Ballot Paper Account” superscribed

thereon.

November 2, 2019]

RULES SUPPLEMENT

(2)

The Presiding Officer shall furnish, to every polling agent present at the close of the poll a true copy

of the entries made in the ballot paper account after obtaining a receipt from the said polling agent therefor and shall

also attest it as a true copy.

53.

Delivery of ballot boxes to Returning Officer:- (1) The Presiding Officer shall then, as soon as may be,

deliver the ballot boxes and all such packets and papers used at the polling station or cause them to be delivered to the

Returning Officer at such places as he may direct.

(2)

The Returning Officer shall make adequate arrangements for the safe transport of all ballot boxes,

packets and other papers referred to in this rule from polling stations and for their safe custody until the commencement

of this counting of votes.

54.

Procedure on adjournment of poll:- (1) If the poll at any polling station is adjourned under section 227 of

the Act, the provisions of rules 51 to 53 shall, as far as practicable, apply as if the poll was closed at the hour fixed in

that behalf.

(2)

When an adjourned poll is recommenced under sub-section (2) of section 227, the electors who

have already voted at the poll so adjourned shall not be allowed to vote again.

(3)

The Returning Officer shall provide the Presiding Officer of the polling station at which such adjourned

poll is held, with the sealed packet containing the marked copy of the electoral roll and a new ballot box.

(4)

The Presiding Officer shall open the sealed packet in the presence of the polling agents present and

use the marked copy of the electoral roll for marking the names of the electors to whom the ballot papers are issued

at the adjourned poll, without however recording therein the serial number thereof.

(5)

The provisions of Rules 33 to 53 shall apply in relation to the conduct of an adjourned poll as they apply in

relation to the poll before it was so adjourned.

55.

Fresh Poll in case of destruction of ballot boxes or Electronic Voting Machines:- If at any election

any ballot box or Electronic Voting Machine used at a polling station is unlawfully taken out of custody of the

Presiding Officer or Returning Officer or is accidentally or intentionally destroyed or lost or is damaged or is tampered

with to such an extent that the result of the poll at that polling station cannot be ascertained or any such error or

irregularity in procedure is likely to vitiate the poll is committed at the polling station, the procedure prescribed in

section 228 of the Act shall be followed.

56.

Counting of votes:- (1) The counting of votes shall commence on the day and at the place and hour

appointed in that behalf. Votes shall be counted by or under the supervision of the Returning Officer.

(2)

The postal ballot papers shall be counted first.

(3)

Each candidate, the Election Agent and the counting agent of each candidate shall have a right to be

present at the time of counting. No other person shall be allowed to be present except such person as the Returning

Officer may appoint to assist him/ her in counting votes and no person shall be appointed to assist in counting votes

who has been employed by or on behalf of any candidate for any purpose whatsoever connected with the election.

(4)

The Returning Officer shall, before he commences to count the votes, read out the provisions of

section 212 of the Act to such person as may be present and shall then count and check all the ballot boxes placed

for the counting of votes and satisfy himself / herself that all such ballot boxes contain the ballot papers which are to

be counted at such place have been received and accounted for.

(5)

The Returning Officer shall allow the candidates and their Election Agent s and counting agents

present at the counting, reasonable opportunities to inspect the ballot boxes and their seals for satisfying themselves

that they are in order.

(6)

If any ballot box is found by the Returning Officer to have been tampered or interfered with or

destroyed or lost, or if at any time, before counting of votes is completed any ballot papers used at a polling station or

at a place fixed for the poll are unlawfully taken out of the custody of the Returning Officer or are accidentally or

intentionally, destroyed or lost or are damaged or tampered with to such an extent that the result of the poll at that

polling station or place cannot be ascertained, the Returning Officer shall follow the procedure laid down in section

230 of the Act.

(7) (a) Subject to such general or special directions, if any, as may be given by the State Election

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[Part I

Commission in this behalf the ballot papers shall be counted after mixing the votes ward-wise.

(b) The Returning Officer shall open, or cause to be opened, simultaneously the ballot box or boxes used at

more than one polling station and shall have the total number of ballot papers found in such box or boxes counted and

recorded in Part -II of ballot paper account in Form – XXIII;

number of ballot papers issued to voters as shown in Item 3 of Part I of the said Form - XXIII minus the number of

ballot papers cancelled as shown in item 4 thereof and the number of papers as shown in item 5 thereof, shall also be

recorded in Part-II of Form - XXIII.

(8) The Returning Officer shall, as far as practicable, proceed continuously with the counting of the

votes and shall, during any necessary intervals during which the counting has to be suspended, place the ballot

papers, packets and other documents relating to the election under his/her own seal and the seals of such candidates

or agents as may desire to affix them and shall cause adequate precautions to be taken for their custody.

57.

Counting of Postal Ballot Papers:- (1) The Returning Officer shall first deal with the postal ballot papers

in the manner hereinafter provided.

(2)

No cover in Form -XVII received by the Returning Officer after the expiry of the time fixed in that

behalf shall be opened and no vote contained in any such cover shall be counted.

(3)

The other covers shall be opened one after another and as each cover is opened, the Returning

Officer shall first scrutinise the declaration in Form–XV contained therein.

(4)

If the said declaration is not found, or has not been duly signed and attested, or is otherwise substantially

defective, or if the serial number of the ballot paper as entered in it differs from the serial number endorsed on the

cover in Form-XVI, that cover shall not be opened, and after making an appropriate endorsement thereon, the

Returning Officer shall reject the ballot paper therein contained.

(5)

Each cover so endorsed and the declaration received with it shall be replaced in the cover in Form

- XVII and all such covers in Form -XVII shall be kept in separate packet which shall be sealed and on which shall

be recorded the details of the ward/constituency, the date of counting and a brief description of its content.

(6)

The Returning Officer shall then place all the declarations (in Form-XV) which he has found to be

in order in a separate packet which shall be sealed before any cover containing postal ballot papers (in Form – XVI)

is opened and on which shall be recorded the particulars referred to in sub-rule (5).

(7)

The covers in Form – XVI pertaining to the declarations found to be in order shall then be opened

one after another and the Returning Officer shall scrutinize each ballot paper and decide the validity of the vote

recorded thereon.

(8)

A postal ballot paper shall be rejected—

(a)

if it bears any mark (other than the mark to record the vote) or writing by which the elector can be

identified; or

(b)

if no vote is recorded thereon; or

(c)

if the vote is given on it in favour of more candidates than one; or

(d)

if it is a spurious ballot paper; or

(e)

if it is so damaged or mutilated that its identity as a genuine ballot paper cannot be established; or

(f)

if it is not returned in the cover sent along with it to the elector by the Returning Officer.

(9)

A vote recorded on a postal ballot paper shall be rejected if the mark indicating the vote is placed on

the ballot paper in such manner as to make it doubtful to which candidate the vote has been given.

(10)

A vote recorded on a postal ballot paper shall not be rejected merely on the ground that the mark

indicating the vote is indistinct or made more than once, if the intention that the vote shall be for a particular candidate

clearly appears from the way the paper is marked.

(11)

The Returning Officer shall count all the valid votes given by postal ballot in favour of each candidate,

November 2, 2019]

RULES SUPPLEMENT

record the total thereof in the final result sheet in Form - XXIV and announce the same.

(12)

Thereafter, all the valid ballot papers and all the rejected ballot papers shall be separately bundled

and kept together in a packet which shall be sealed with the seals of the Returning Officer and of such of the

candidates, their Election Agent or counting agents as may desire to affix their seals thereon and on the packet so

sealed shall be recorded the details of the ward, the date of counting and a brief description of its contents.

58.

Grounds for rejection of ballot papers:- (1) The Returning Officer shall reject a ballot paper,-

(a) if it bears any mark or writing by which the elector can be identified, or

(b) if it bears no mark at all to indicate the vote, it bears a mark elsewhere than on or near the symbol of one of

the candidates on the face of the ballot paper or, it bears a mark made otherwise than with the instrument

supplied for the purpose, or

(d) if the mark indicating the vote thereon is placed in such manner as to make it doubtful as to which candidate

the vote has been given, or

(e) if it is a spurious ballot paper, or

(f) if it is so damaged or mutilated that its identity as a genuine ballot paper cannot be established, or

(g) if it bears a serial number, or is of a design, different from the serial numbers, or, as the case may be, design,

of the ballot papers authorised for use at the particular polling station, or

(h) if it does not bear both the distinguishing mark and the signature which it should have borne under the

provisions of Rule 45;

Provided that where the Returning Officer is satisfied that any such defect as is mentioned in clause (g) or

clause (h) has been caused by any mistake or failure on the part of a Presiding Officer or Polling Officer, the ballot

paper shall not be rejected merely on the ground of such defect:

Provided further that a ballot paper shall not be rejected merely on the ground that the mark indicating the

vote is indistinct or made more than once, if the intention that the vote shall be for a particular candidate clearly

appears from the way the paper is marked.

(2)

Before rejecting any ballot paper under sub-rule (1), the Returning Officer shall allow candidates

and their counting agents present a reasonable opportunity to inspect the ballot paper but shall not allow them to

handle it or any other ballot paper.

(3)

The Returning Officer shall endorse on every ballot paper which he /she rejects the word “rejected”

and the grounds of rejection in abbreviated form either in his/her own hand or by means of a rubber stamp and shall

initial such endorsement.

(4)

All ballot papers rejected under this rule shall be bundled together.

(5)

Every ballot paper which is not rejected under this rule shall be counted as one valid vote.

59.

Preparation of Final Results Sheet: - After counting of all ballot papers contained in all the ballot boxes

used in Ward of a Municipality or Municipal Corporation, have been completed, the Returning Officer shall make the

entries in a final result sheet in Form-XXIV and announce the particulars.

60.

Recount of Votes :- (1) After such announcement has been made under rule 59, a candidate or, in his/her

absence, his/her Election Agent or any of his/her counting agents may apply in writing to the Returning Officer for

recounting of the votes either wholly or in part stating the grounds on which, he demands such recount.

(2)

On such an application being made the Returning Officer shall decide the matter and may allow the

application in whole or in part or may reject it wholly if it appears to him/ her to be frivolous or unreasonable.

(3)

Every decision of the Returning Officer under sub-rule (2) shall be in writing and contain the reasons

therefor.

(4)

If the Returning Officer decides under sub-rule (2) to allow a recount of the votes either wholly or,

in part he shall -

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[Part I

(a) do the recounting in accordance with rule 56;

(b) amend the result sheet in Form–XXIV to the extent necessary after such recount; and

(5)

After the total number of votes polled by each candidate has been announced under sub-rule (4), the

Returning Officer shall complete and sign the final result sheet in Form–XXIV and no application for a further or

second recount shall be entertained thereafter.

61.

Equality of Votes:- If, after the counting of the votes is completed an equality of votes is found to exist

between any candidates and the addition of one vote will lead to any of those candidates being declared elected, the

Returning Officer shall forthwith decide between those candidates by lot, and proceed as if the candidate on whom

the lot falls had received the additional vote.

62.

Declaration of result of election and return of election:- (1) The Returning Officer shall subject to the

provisions of rule 61 in so far as they apply to any particular case –

(a)

declare in Form XXV the candidate to whom the largest number of valid votes have been given to be

elected for the seat and send signed copies thereof to the State Election Commission, Election Authority

and District Election Authority.

(b)

complete and certify the return of election in Form XXVI and send copies thereof to the State Election

Commission, Election Authority and District Election Authority.

(2)

Any candidate or his/her agent shall, on application be permitted to take a copy of an extract of the

return of election in Form XXVI.

63.

Grant of Election Certificate:- As soon as may be after a candidate has been declared by the Returning

Officer under Rule 15 or, as the case may be, under Rule 62 to have been elected, the Returning Officer shall grant

such candidate a certificate of election in Form XXVII and obtain from the candidate an acknowledgement of its

receipt duly signed by him/ her immediately.

64.

Publication of Results:- The Returning Officer shall publish on the notice board in the Office of the

Municipality / Municipal Corporation concerned a notification signed by him, stating the names of the candidates duly

elected.

65.

Sealing of used ballot papers:- The valid ballot papers of each candidate and the rejected ballot papers

shall thereafter be bundled separately and the several bundles made up into a separate packet which shall be sealed

with the seals of the Returning Officer and of such of the candidates, their Election Agent s or counting agents as

may desire to affix their seals thereon, and on the packets to be sealed shall be recorded the following particulars,

namely –

(a)

number of ward and name of the Municipality/Corporation, as the case may be; and

(b)

the date of counting.

66.

Disposal of Ballot Papers: - (1) The Returning Officer shall after declaring the results, forward a copy of

the return to the Executive Authority/ Commissioner of the Municipality/ Corporation concerned and shall handover

to the Officer authorised by the District Election Authority the packets of ballot papers, whether counted, rejected

or tendered. These packets shall not be opened and their contents shall not be inspected or produced except under

the orders of an authority competent to decide election disputes.

(2)

The Officer so authorised shall retain packets and the marked copies of the electoral roll for a year and shall

then, unless otherwise directed by the orders of an authority competent to decide election disputes, cause them to be

destroyed.

November 2, 2019]

RULES SUPPLEMENT

CHAPTER – V

VOTING BY ELECTRONIC VOTING MACHINES

67.

Design of Voting Machine:- Every Electronic Voting Machine (hereinafter referred to as the voting

machine) shall have a control unit (with or without Detachable Memory Module/Secured Detachable Memory

Module) with one or more balloting units and may also be attached to a printer with a drop box for printing a paper

trail of the vote(Voter Verifiable Paper Audit Trial), in such constituency or constituencies or polling station or polling

stations or parts thereof as the State Election Commission may direct basing on the availability. The number of

balloting units shall depend on the number of contesting candidates and number of seats. The design and shape of

control unit, balloting unit and printer shall be such, as may be approved by the State Election Commission.

Explanation:- Detachable Memory Module (DMM)/ Secured Detachable Memory Module (SDMM) means

such electronic memory device which is attached to the control unit of electronic voting machine and keeps the

election data safely in secured manner. In all cases where the EVMs are to be reused before the counting process,

the DMM/SDMM containing poll data shall be separated and stored securely as per the directions of SEC till they

are taken up for counting.

Voter Verifiable Paper Audit Trail (VVPAT) or Verifiable Paper Record (VPR) is a method of providing

feedback to voters in a ballot less voting system. A VVPAT is intended as an independent verification system designed

to allow voters to verify that their vote is recorded correctly and also to provide a means to audit the stored electronic

results.

A ‘voter verified paper audit trail’ (VVPAT) consists of physical paper records of ballots as cast by the

voters in an electronic voting system. In the event that an election recount or audit is called for, the VVPAT provides

a supporting record. The ‘voter-verified’ part of the VVPAT refers to the fact that the voter is given the opportunity

to verify the choices he has made while casting the ballot. Thus, the result of an election in an electronic form is

tallied with the paper record verified by the individual voters.

68.

Preparation of Voting Machine by the Returning Officer:– (1) The Balloting Unit of the voting machine

shall contain such particulars in such language or languages as the State Election Commission may specify.

(2)

The names of the candidates or the symbols allotted to the candidates shall be arranged on the

Balloting Unit in the same order in which they appear in the list of the contesting candidates.

(3)

If two or more candidates bear the same name, they shall be distinguished by the addition of their

occupation or residence or in some other manner.

(4)

Subject to the foregoing provisions of this rule, the Returning Officer shall; -

(a) fix the label containing the names and symbols of the contesting candidates in the Balloting Unit and

secure that unit with his/her seal and the seals of such of the contesting candidates or their Election

Agent s present as are desirous of affixing the same;

(b) set the number of contesting candidates and close the candidate set section in the Control Unit and

secure it with his/her seal and the seals of such of the contesting candidates or their Election Agent

s present as are desirous of affixing the same.

(5)

Where the printer for paper trail is used under the proviso to rule 68, set the printer as per the

number of contesting candidates set in the control unit by –

(a)

Loading in the printer the serial numbers and names of candidates and symbols allotted to them

as given on the balloting units under clause 4(a);

(b)

Loading paper in the printer; and

(c)

Sealing the printer in such manner as may be directed by the State Election Commission

69.

Arrangements at the Polling Stations:- (1) Outside each polling station there shall be displayed prominently,-

(a)

a notice specifying the polling area, the electors of which are entitled to vote at the polling station;

and

(b)

a copy of the list of contesting candidates.

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[Part I

(2)

At each polling station there shall be setup one or more voting compartments in which the electors

can record their votes free from observation.

(3)

The Returning Officer shall provide at each polling station one or more voting machines and copies

of relevant part of the electoral roll and such other election material as may be necessary for taking the poll.

70.

Admission to Polling Station:- The provisions of Rule 37 shall apply to regulate the entry of electors and

other persons inside the polling station.

71.

Preparation of voting machine for poll:– (1) The Control Unit and Balloting Unit of every voting machine

used at a polling station and the printer for paper trail where used shall bear a label marked with:-

(a)

Name of the Municipality/ Municipal Corporation;

(b)

the serial number and the name of the ward;

(c)

the serial number and the name of the polling station;

(d)

the serial number of the Balloting unit and Control Unit; and

(e)

the serial number of the detachable memory module (DMM) / Secured Detachable Memory Module

(SDMM) wherever used;

(f)

the serial number of the printer wherever used; and

(g)

the date of poll.

(2)

Immediately before the commencement of the poll, the Presiding Officer shall demonstrate to the

polling agents and other persons present that no vote has been already recorded in the voting machine and it bears

the label referred to in sub-rule (1) and where the printer for paper trail is used that the drop box of the printer is

empty.

(3)

A paper seal shall be used for securing the Control Unit of the voting machine, and the Presiding

Officer shall affix his/her own signature on the paper seal and obtain thereon the signature of such of the polling

agents present as are desirous of affixing the same.

(4)

The Presiding Officer shall thereafter fix the paper seal so signed in the space meant

therefore in the Control Unit of the voting machine and shall secure and seal the same.

(5)

The seal used for securing the Control Unit shall be fixed in such manner that after the unit has been

sealed, it is not possible to press the “result button” without breaking the seal.

(6)

The Control Unit shall be closed and secured and placed in full view of the Presiding Officer and the

polling agents and the Balloting Unit placed in the voting compartment.

(7)

Where the printer for paper trail is used, the printer shall also be kept along with the balloting unit in

the voting compartment and shall be connected to the electronic voting machine in the manner as directed by the

State Election Commission.

72.

Marked copy of Electoral Roll:– Immediately before the commencement of the poll, the Presiding Officer

shall also demonstrate to the polling agents and others present, that the marked copy of the electoral roll to be used

during the poll does not contain any entry other than that made with regard to issue of postal ballot papers and

election duty certificates.

73.

Facilities for Women electors:– With regard to facilities to women electors, the provisions of rule 40 shall

apply.

74. Identification of electors:- For the purpose of identification of electors, Rule 41 shall apply.

75.

Facilities for public servants on election duty:– With regard to facilities for public servants on election

duty provisions of Rule 42 shall apply.

76.

Challenging of Identity:– Where the identity of an elector is challenged, the provisions of Rule 43 shall

apply.

77.

Safeguard against personation:– (1) Every elector about whose identity the Presiding Officer or the

polling officer, as the case may be, is satisfied, shall allow his/her left forefinger to be inspected by the Presiding

Officer or polling officer and an indelible ink mark to be put on it.

November 2, 2019]

RULES SUPPLEMENT

(2)

If any elector; -

(a)

refuse to allow his/her left forefinger to be inspected or marked in accordance with sub-rule (1)

or has already such a mark on his/her left forefinger or does any act with a view to removing the

ink mark, or

(b)

fails or refuses to produce his/her identity card or such other document as specified by order of

State Election Commission under sub-rule (3) of Rule 41, he/she shall not be allowed to vote.

(3)

Any reference in this rule to the left forefinger of an elector shall, in the case where the elector has

his/her left forefinger missing, he/she construed as a reference to any other finger to his/her left hand, and shall, in

the case where all the fingers of his/her left hand are missing, be construed as a reference to the forefinger or any

other finger of both the hands are missing be construed as a reference to such extremity of his/her left or right arm

as he possesses.

78.

Procedure for voting by voting machines:– (1) Before permitting an elector, to vote the polling officer

shall –

(a)

record the electoral roll number of the elector as entered in the marked copy of the electoral roll in

a register of voters in Form-XXVIII;

(b)

obtain the signature or the thumb impression of the elector on the said register of voters; and

(c)

mark the name of the elector in the marked copy of the electoral roll to indicate that he / she has

been allowed to vote:

Provided that, no elector shall be allowed to vote unless he/ she has affixed his/her signature or thumb

impression on the register of voters.

(2)

It shall not be necessary for any Presiding Officer or polling officer or any other officer to attest the

thumb impression of the elector on the register of voters.

79.

Maintenance of secrecy of voting by electors within the polling station and voting procedure:– (1)

Every elector who has been permitted to vote under Rule 78 shall maintain secrecy of voting within the polling station

and for that purpose observe the voting procedure hereinafter laid down.

(2)

Immediately on being permitted to vote the elector shall proceed to the Presiding Officer or the

polling officer in-charge of the Control Unit of the voting machine who shall, by pressing the appropriate button on

the Control Unit, activate the Balloting Unit, for recording of elector’s vote.

(3)

The elector shall thereafter forthwith, -

(a) proceed to the voting compartment;

(b) record his/her vote by pressing the button on the Balloting Unit against the name and symbol of

the candidate for whom he intends to vote; and

Provided that where printer for paper trial is used, upon casting the vote by pressing the button as referred

to in clause (b), the elector shall be able to view through the transparent window of the printer, kept along with the

balloting unit inside the voting compartment, the printed paper slip showing the serial number, name and the symbol

of the candidate for whom he has cast his/her vote before such paper slip gets cut and drops in the drop box of the

printer.

(4)

Every elector shall vote without undue delay.

(5)

No elector shall be allowed to enter the voting compartment when another elector is inside it.

(6)

If an elector who has been permitted to vote under rule 79 or rule 83 refuses after warning given by

the Presiding Officer to observe the procedure laid down in sub-rule (3) of Rule 79 or sub-rule (3) of Rule 83, the

Presiding Officer or a polling officer under the direction of the Presiding Officer shall not allow such elector to vote.

(7)

Where an elector is not allowed to vote under sub-rule (6), a remark to the effect that voting

procedure has been violated shall be made against the elector’s name in the register of voters in Form XXVIII by

the Presiding Officer under his/her signature.

TELANGANA GAZETTE

[Part I

80.

Procedure in case of complaint about particulars printed on paper slips:- (1) Where printer for

paper trail is used, if an elector after having recorded his/her vote under Rule 79 alleges that the paper slip generated

by the printer has shown the name or symbol of a candidate other than the one he voted for, the presiding officer shall

obtain a written declaration in Form–XXIX from the elector as to the allegation, after warning the elector about

consequence of making a false declaration.

(2)

If the elector gives the written declaration referred to in sub-rule (1), the presiding officer shall

make a second entry related to that elector in Register of Votes in Form-XXVIII, and permit the elector to record

a test vote in the voting machine in his/her presence and in the presence of the candidates or polling agents who may

be present in the polling station, and observe the paper slip generated by the printer.

(3)

If the allegation is found true, the Presiding Officer shall report the facts immediately to the Returning

Officer stop further recording of votes in that voting machine and act as per the direction that may be given by the

Returning Officer.

(4)

If, however, the allegation is found to be false and the paper slip so generated under sub-rule (1)

matches with the test vote recorded by the elector under sub-rule(2), then, the Presiding Officer shall –

make a remark to that effect against the second entry relating to that elector in Register of Voters in

Form-XXVIII mentioning the serial number and name of the candidate for whom such test vote

has been recorded;

obtain the signature or thumb impression of that elector against such remarks; and

make necessary entries regarding such test vote in item 5 in Part I of Accounts of Votes Recorded

in Form-XXXI.

81.

Recording of votes of blind or infirm electors:– (1) If the Presiding Officer is satisfied that owing to

blindness or other physical infirmities an elector is unable to read the names or recognise the symbols on the Balloting

Unit of the voting machine or unable to record his/her vote by pressing the appropriate button thereon without

assistance, the Presiding Officer shall permit the elector to take with him/her a companion of not less than eighteen

years of age to the voting compartment for recording the vote on his/her behalf and in accordance with his/her

wishes:

Provided that no person shall be permitted to act as the companion of more than one elector at any polling

station on the same day:

Provided further that before any person is permitted to act as the companion of an elector on any day under

this rule that person shall be required to declare in Form-XX that he will keep secret the vote recorded by him/ her

on behalf of the elector and that he has not already acted as the companion of any other elector at any other polling

station on that day.

(2)

The Presiding Officer shall keep a record of all cases under this rule in Form–XX and Form–XXI.

82.

Elector deciding not to vote:- If an elector, after his/her electoral roll number has been entered in the

clause (b) sub-rule (1) of rule 78, decides not to record his/her vote, a remark to this effect shall be made against the

said entry in Form-XXVIII by the Presiding Officer and the signature or thumb impression of the elector shall be

obtained against such remark.

83.

Tendered Votes:– (1) If a person representing himself / herself to be a particular elector seeks to vote

after another person has already voted as such elector, he / she shall, on satisfactorily answering such questions

relating to his/her identity as the Presiding Officer may ask, be, instead of being allowed to vote through the Balloting

Unit, supplied with a tendered ballot paper which shall be of such design and the particulars of which shall be in such

language or languages as the State Election Commission may specify.

(2)

Every such elector shall before being supplied with tendered ballot paper affix his/her signature or

thumb impression against the entry relating to him/ her in a list in Form–XXX.

(3)

On receiving the ballot paper he shall forthwith –

(a) proceed to the voting compartment;

November 2, 2019]

RULES SUPPLEMENT

(b) record there his/her vote on the ballot paper by placing a cross mark

with

instrument or article supplied for the purpose, on or near the symbol of the candidate for whom

he / she intends to vote;

(d) give it to the Presiding Officer who shall place it in a cover specially kept for the purpose; and

(e) leave the polling station.

(4)

If owing to blindness or physical infirmities, such elector is unable to record his/her vote without

assistance the Presiding Officer shall permit him/ her to take with him / her companion, subject to the same conditions

and after following the same procedure as laid down in rule 81 for recording the vote in accordance with his/her

wishes.

84.

Presiding Officer’s entry into the voting compartment during poll:– (1) The Presiding Officer may

whenever he /she considers it necessary to do so, enter the voting compartment during poll and take such steps as

may be necessary to ensure that the Balloting Unit is not tampered or interfered with in any way.

(2)

If the Presiding Officer has reason to suspect that an elector who has entered the voting compartment

is tampering or otherwise interfering with the Balloting Unit or has remained inside the voting compartment for

unduly long period, he shall enter the voting compartment and take such steps as may be necessary to ensure the

smooth and orderly progress of the poll.

(3)

Whenever the Presiding Officer enters the voting compartment under this rule, he / she shall permit

the polling agents present to accompany him/ her if they so desire.

85.

Closing of Poll:– (1) The Presiding Officer shall close a polling station at the hour fixed in that behalf:

Provided that all electors present at the polling station before it is closed shall be allowed to cast their votes.

(2)

If any question arises whether an elector was present at the polling station before it was closed it

shall be decided by the Presiding Officer and his/her decision shall be final.

86.

Account of votes recorded:– (1) The Presiding Officer shall at the close of the poll prepare an account of

votes recorded in Form–XXXI and put it in a separate cover with the words “Account of Votes Recorded” superscribed

thereon.

(2)

The Presiding Officer shall furnish to every polling agent present at the close of the poll, a true copy

of the entries made in Form–XXXI after obtaining a receipt from the said polling agent therefor and shall attest it as

a true copy.

87.

Sealing of voting machine after poll:– (1) As soon as practicable after the closing of the poll, the Presiding

Officer shall close the Control Unit to ensure that no further votes can be recorded and shall detach the Balloting

Unit from Control Unit and from the printer, where printer is also used, so however, that the paper slips contained in

the drop box of the printer shall remain intact.

(2)

The Control Unit, the Balloting Unit and the printer, where it is used, shall thereafter be sealed, and

secured separately in such manner as the State Election Commission may direct and the seal used for securing them

shall be so affixed that it will not be possible to open the units without breaking the seals.

(3)

The polling agents present at the polling station, who desire to affix their seals, shall also be permitted

to do so.

88.

Sealing of other packets:– (1) The Presiding Officer shall then make into separate packets, -

(a)

the marked copy of the electoral roll;

(b)

the register of voters in Form–XXVIII;

(c)

the cover containing the tendered ballot papers and the list in Form–XXX;

(d)

the list of challenged votes; and

(e)

any other papers directed by the State Election Commission to be kept in a sealed packet.

TELANGANA GAZETTE

[Part I

(2)

Each packet shall be sealed with the seal of the Presiding Officer and with the seal either of the

candidate or of his/her Election Agent or of his/her polling agent who may be present at the polling station and may

desire to affix his/her seal thereon.

89.

Transmission of voting machines, etc., to the Returning Officer:– (1) The Presiding Officer shall

then deliver or cause to be delivered to the Returning Officer at such place as the Returning Officer may direct -

(a) the voting machine;

(b) the account of votes recorded in Form–XXXI;

(d) all other papers used at the poll.

(2)

The Returning Officer shall make adequate arrangements for the safe transport of the voting machine,

packets and other papers for their safe custody until the commencement of the counting of votes.

90.

Procedure on adjournment of poll:– (1) If the poll at any polling stations is adjourned under Section 227

of the Act, the provisions of Rules 85 to 89, shall, as far as practicable, apply as if the poll was closed at the hour fixed

in that behalf.

(2)

When an adjourned poll is recommended under sub-section (2) of section 227 of the Act, the electors

who have already voted at the poll so adjourned shall not be allowed to vote again.

(3)

The Returning Officer shall provide the Presiding Officer of the polling station at which such adjourned

poll is held, with sealed packet containing the marked copy of the electoral roll, register of voters in Form–XXVIII

and a new voting machine.

(4)

The Presiding Officer shall open the sealed packet in the presence of the polling agents present and

use the marked copy of the electoral roll for marking the names of the electors who are allowed to vote at the

adjourned poll.

(5)

The provisions of Rules 67 to 88 shall apply in relation to the conduct of an adjourned poll before

it was so adjourned.

91.

Closing of voting machines in case of booth capturing:- Where the Presiding Officer is of opinion that

booth capturing is taking place at a polling station or at a place fixed for the poll, he shall immediately close the

Control Unit of voting machine to ensure that no further votes can be recorded and shall detach the Balloting Unit

from the Control Unit and from the printer, where printer is also used, and thereupon the provisions of section 229 of

the Act, in so far as they relate to booth-capturing at a polling station shall apply.

92.

Scrutiny and inspection of voting machines:– (1) The Returning Officer may have the Control Units of

the voting machines used at more than one polling station taken up for scrutiny and inspection and votes recorded in

such units counted simultaneously.

(2)

Before the votes recorded in any Control Unit of a voting machine are counted under sub-rule (1),

the candidate or his/her Election Agent or his/her counting agent present at the counting table shall be allowed to

inspect the paper seal and such other vital seals as might have been affixed on the unit and to satisfy themselves that

the seals are intact.

(3)

The Returning Officer shall satisfy himself / herself that none of the voting machines has in fact

been tampered with.

(4)

If the Returning Officer is satisfied that any voting machine has in fact been tampered with, he /she

shall not count the votes recorded in that machine and shall report the matter to the State Election Commission.

93.

Counting of votes:- (1) After the Returning Officer is satisfied that a voting machine has in fact not been

tampered with, he shall have the votes recorded therein counted by pressing the appropriate button marked “Result”

provided in the Control Unit whereby the total votes polled and votes polled by each candidate shall be displayed in

respect of each such candidate on the display panel provided for the purpose in the unit.

(2)

As the votes polled by each candidate are displayed on the Control Unit, the Returning Officer shall

have:-

November 2, 2019]

RULES SUPPLEMENT

(a)

number of such votes recorded separately in respect of each candidate in Part II of Form–XXXI;

(b)

part II of Form–XXXI completed in other respects and signed by the counting supervisor and also

by the candidates or their Election Agent s or their counting agents present; and

(c)

corresponding entries made in a final result sheet in Form-XXIV and the particulars so entered in

the result sheet announced.

(3)

Provided that the test vote recorded, if any, for a candidate, as per item 5 in Part I of Accounts of

Votes Recorded in Form - XXXI, shall be subtracted from the number of votes recorded for such candidate as

displayed on the control unit.

94.

Scrutiny of Paper Trail:- (1) Where printer for paper trail is used, after the entries made in the result sheet

are announced, any candidate, or in his/her absence, his/her Election Agent or any of his/her counting agents may

apply in writing to the Returning Officer to count the printed paper slips in the drop box of the printer in respect of any

polling station or polling stations.

(2)

On such application being made, the Returning Officer shall, subject to such general or special

guidelines, as may be issued by the State Election Commission, decide the matter and may allow the application in

whole or in part or may reject in whole, if it appears to him/ her to be frivolous or unreasonable.

(3)

Every decision of the Returning Officer under sub-rule (2) shall be in writing and shall contain the

reasons therefor.

(4)

If the Returning Officer decides under sub-rule (2) to allow counting of the paper slips either wholly

or in part or parts, he / she shall-

(a)

do the counting in the manner as may be directed by the State Election Commission;

(b)

if there is discrepancy between the votes displayed on the control unit and the counting of the paper

slips, amend the result sheet in Form-XXIV as per the paper slips count;

(c)

announce the amendments so made by him / her ; and

(d)

complete and sign the final result sheet.

95.

Sealing of Voting Machines:– (1) After the result of voting recorded in Control Unit has been ascertained

candidate-wise, and entered in Form–XXXI and in the form prescribed for this purpose, the Returning Officer shall

reseal the unit with his/her seal and the seals of such of the candidates or their Election Agent s present who may

desire to affix their seals thereon, so however that the result of voting recorded in the unit is not obliterated and the

unit retains the memory of such result and where printer for paper trail is used, the Returning Officer shall seal the

paper slips in such manner, as may be directed by the State Election Commission.

(2)

The Control Unit and the paper slips so sealed shall be kept in specially prepared boxes on which the

Returning Officer shall record the following particulars, namely:-

(a) Name of the Municipality / Municipal Corporation;

(b) the details of the Ward of the Municipality;

(d) serial number of the Control Unit;

(e) the serial number of the VVPAT printer, where it is used;

(f) date of poll; and

(g) date of counting.

96.

Sealing of voting machine with DMM/SDMM Facility where CUs & BUs are reused:- (1) A part of

the EVM i.e., Electronic Memory Device called as Detachable Memory Module (DMM) or Secured Detachable

Memory Module (SDMM) only shall be sealed by separating it from Control Unit. The control unit etc., may be used

for other phases of election.

G-468/5

TELANGANA GAZETTE

[Part I

(2)

After the result of voting is ascertained and recorded in the control unit and recorded candidate wise

in Part-II of Form-XXXI mentioned in Rule 93, the Returning Officer shall separate DMM/SDMM from control

unit and seal in the manner prescribed by the State Election Commission. During the sealing procedure the candidate

or their Election Agent s present may affix their seals and put signatures thereon.

Where printer for paper trail is used, the Returning Officer shall seal the paper slips in such manner, as may

be directed by the State Election Commission.

(3)

The DMM/SDMM so sealed shall be kept in specially prepared box on which the Returning Officer

shall record the following particulars:-

(a)

Name of the Municipality / Municipal Corporation;

(b)

The details of the Ward of the Municipality;

(d)

Serial Number of Control Unit and Printer wherever used;

(e)

Serial Number of DMM/SDMM used:

(f)

Date of Poll; and

(g)

Date of counting.

(4)

The sealed DMM/SDMM may be used for judicial purpose and other necessary purposes.

97.

Custody of Voting Machines or DMMs /SDMMs and papers relating to election:- (1) All voting

machines where DMMs /SDMMs are not used and only DMMs /SDMMs where CUs & BUs are reused at an

election shall be kept in the custody of the concerned Collector & District Election Authority or the Officer authorised

by him / her .

(2)

The Collector & District Election authority or the Officer authorised by him/ her shall keep in the

safe custody-

(a) the packets of marked copy of the electoral roll;

(b) the packets containing register of voters in Form–XXVIII;

(d) the printed paper slips sealed under the provisions of rule 95 or 96; and

(e) all other papers relating to election.

98.

Production and Inspection of Voting Machines or DMMs / SDMMs and election papers:– (1)

While in the custody of the Collector & District Election Authority or the Officer authorised by him/ her–

(a) the packets of marked copy of electoral roll;

(b)

the packets containing registers of voters in Form–XXVIII;

(c)

the printed paper slips sealed under the provisions of rule 95 or 96; and

shall not be opened and their contents shall not be inspected by, or produced before any person or authority except

under the order of the competent court.

(2)

The Control Unit or DMM/SDMM sealed as per the provisions of Rule 95 or 96 kept in the custody

of the Collector & District Election Authority or the Officer authorised by him/ her shall be stored in Government

Treasury or sub-Treasury and shall not be opened and inspected by, or produced before any person or authority

except under the order of the competent court.

99.

Safe custody of Voting Machines or DMMs / SDMMs and all other packets:- (1) The voting machines

where DMMs/SDMMs are not used and the DMMs /SDMMs where they are used and kept in the custody of the

Collector & District Election Authority or the Officer authorised by him/ her shall be retained intact for such period

as the State Election Commission may direct and shall not be used at any subsequent election without the prior

approval of the State Election Commission.

November 2, 2019]

RULES SUPPLEMENT

(2) The Officer so authorised shall retain packets and the marked copies of the electoral roll for a year and

shall then, unless otherwise directed by the orders of an authority competent to decide election disputes, cause them

to be destroyed

100.

Power of the State Election Commission to issue directions:- Subject to the other provisions of these

rules, the State Election Commission may issue such directions as it may consider necessary to facilitate the proper

use and operation of the voting machines and also as occasion requires to facilitate the holding of elections under

these rules.

CHAPTER – VI

MISCELLANEOUS

101.

Interpretation of Rules:- (1) If any question arises on the interpretation of these Rules, otherwise than in

connection with an enquiry held under the rules for the decision of disputes as to the validity of an election, the

question shall be referred to the State Election Commission whose decision thereon shall be final:

Provided that, the State Election Commission shall not entertain any petition relating to elections that may

arise from the time of calling for nomination till the declaration of results. Such cases shall be decided by a court of

competent jurisdiction.

(2) If any difficulty arises as to the holding of an election under these rules, the State Election Commission

may by order, do anything not inconsistent with these rules, which appear to them necessary for the proper holding

of elections.

102. Particulars of Account of Election Expenses:- (1) The account of election expenses to be kept by a

candidate or his/her Election Agent shall contain such particulars and shall be in such proforma as may be specified

by the State Election Commission.

(2) The account of election expenses of Ward Members of the Municipality/ Corporation shall be submitted

to the District Election authority within forty-five days from the date of declaration of the result of the election.

103.

Notice by the District Election Authority for inspection of accounts:- The District Election Authority

shall, within two days from the date on which account of election expenses has been received by him/her under Rule

102, cause a notice to be affixed on his/her notice board, specifying -

(a)

the name of the candidate;

(b)

the date on which the account has been lodged before the District Election authority.

(c)

the amount reported as incurred and

(d)

the time and place at which such account can be inspected by any intending person.

104. Inspection of account and the obtaining of copies thereof:- Any person shall on payment of a fee of fifty

rupees, be entitled to inspect any such account and on payment of Rs. 200/- or the actual cost of making copies

whichever is higher, be entitled to obtain attested copies of such account or any part thereof.

105. Report by the District Election Authority as to the lodging of the account of election expenses and

the decision of the State Election Commission thereon:- (1) As soon as may be, after the expiration of the

time specified in section 236 for the lodging of the accounts of election expenses at any election, the District Election

Authority shall report to the State Election Commission –

(a)

the name of each contesting candidate;

(b)

whether such candidate has lodged his/her account of election expenses, and if so, the date on

which such account has been lodged; and

(c)

whether in his/her opinion such account has been lodged within the time and in the manner required

by the Act and these rules.

He/she shall also publish the same information on the office notice board of the Municipality/Corporation.

(2) Where the District Election Authority is of the opinion that the account of election expenses of any

candidate has not been lodged within the due date or lodged but not in the manner required by the Act and these rules,

he/she shall make a report to the State Election Commission and with every such report, forward the account of

election expenses of that candidate and the vouchers lodged along with it, if any.

TELANGANA GAZETTE

[Part I

(3) As soon as may be, after the receipt of the report referred to in sub-rule (1), the State Election

Commission shall, consider the same and decide whether any contesting candidate has failed to lodge the account of

election expenses within the time and in the manner required by the Act and these rules.

(4) Where, the State Election commission decides that, a contesting candidate has failed to lodge his/her

account of election expenses within the time and/or in the manner required by the Act and these rules, the Commission

shall by notice in writing call upon the candidate to show cause why he/she should not be disqualified, and declared

to have ceased to hold office under provision (3) of Schedule-IV of section 12 of the Act for the failure in case he/

she is elected.

(5) Any contesting candidate who has been called upon to show cause under sub-rule (4) may, within

twenty days of the receipt of such notice, submit in respect of the matter a representation in writing to the State

Election Commission, and shall at the same time send to the District Election Authority, a copy of his/her representation

together with a complete account of his/her election expenses if he/she had not already furnished such an account.

(6) The District Election Authority shall, within five days of the receipt thereof, forward to the State

Election Commission, the copy of the representation and the account, if any, with such comments as he/she wishes

to make thereon.

(7) If, after considering the representation submitted by the candidate and the comments made by the

District Election Authority and after such inquiry as it thinks fit, the State Election Commission is satisfied that the

candidate has no good reason or justification for the failure, the Commission shall declare him/her by an order made

under provision (3) of Schedule-IV of section 12 of the Act to be ineligible for a period of three years, from the date

of the said order, to contest any election held for any office under the Act and if he/she is an elected candidate

declare him/her to have ceased to hold office with immediate effect and publish the order in the Official Gazette.

106. Maximum Election Expenses:- The total of the election expenses incurred or authorised to be incurred by

each contesting candidate in connection with an election shall not exceed the amount specified for each office in the

order made by the State Election Commission in this behalf.

107. Oath of the Members:- The form of the oath as prescribed in Form-XXXII.

108. Secrecy of voting not to be infringed:- No witness or other person shall be required to state for whom he

has voted at an election.

ARVIND KUMAR,

Principal Secretary to Government.

November 2, 2019]

RULES SUPPLEMENT

FORM - I

[See Rule 5]

NOTICE OF ELECTION

*Ordinary/ Casual Elections …………

FOR THE OFFICE OF WARD MEMBER(s), …………………………. MUNICIPALITY

/MUNICIPAL CORPORATION

Notice is hereby given that:

(1) (a)

an election is to be held for the office(s) of Ward Member (s) of the

………………………………..………… Municipality/Municipal Corporation in

…………………………….. District.

(b)

Total number of Ward Members in the Municipality/Municipal

Corporation are: …………………………

(c)

Reservation particulars for the offices of Ward Members are:

Category

Ward Nos.

ST(Women)

ST(General)

SC (Women)

SC (General)

BC (Women)

BC(General)

General (Women)

General (Unreserved)

(2) Nomination Papers may be delivered by a candidate or his/her proposer to

the Returning Officer or to Assistant Returning Officer, at the office of

_______________ (place) between 10.30 A.M. and 5.00 P.M. from

(date) ________ to _________(date) (whether or not it is a public

holiday).

(3) Forms of nomination papers may be obtained at the place and time

aforesaid.

TELANGANA GAZETTE

[Part I

(4) Nomination papers will be taken up for scrutiny at _______________

(time) on _______________ (date) at _______________ place.

(5) Notice of withdrawal of candidature may be delivered either by the

candidate or by his/her proposer / Election Agent , who has been

authorised in writing by the candidate to deliver it to either of the officers

specified in paragraph (2) above at his/her office before 3.00 P.M. on

_______________ (date) (Whether or not it is a Public holiday).

(6) In the event of the election being contested, the poll will be taken on

__________ (date) between the hours of ________ and _________.

Place :

Date :

RETURNING OFFICER

* Strike off the inappropriate alternative.

November 2, 2019]

RULES SUPPLEMENT

FORM – II

[See Rule 7 (1)]

NOMINATION PAPER

*Ordinary/ Casual Elections …………

Name of the Municipality /Municipal Corporation

…………………..…………………..

(Scheduled Area / Non-scheduled Area)

Election to Member of Ward No ............ of ......................……………

Municipality

/Municipal

Corporation

.................................

District.

Part - I

Reservation status of the post……………………………………….

I nominate the following as a candidate for election to the office of

Ward Member; ………..…………… Ward of ………………………………………..

Municipality /Municipal Corporation in …………………………………. District.

Full name of the candidate

(In Telugu)

Age

Father’s /Mother’s / Husband’s Name

(In Telugu)

Postal address of the candidate

Occupation

His/her name is entered at Serial Number ………………… of the

..…………….. Ward electoral roll of …………………………… Municipality

/Municipal Corporation of………………………………… District.

My name is …………………………….. and it is entered at Serial Number

………………………

the

…………..

ward

electoral

roll

the

……………………………… Municipality /Municipal Corporation.

Date:

Signature of the Proposer.

* Strike off the inappropriate alternative.

TELANGANA GAZETTE

[Part I

Part - II

(Candidates Declaration)

I, the candidate mentioned in Part – I assent to this nomination and

hereby declare-

(a) that I have completed ……………………………….. years of age

(a)

(i)

that

set

this

election

the

………………………….

party, which is recognized National Party / State Party /

Registered political party with reserved symbol (strike

out

which is not applicable) and that the symbol reserved

for

the

above party be allotted to me.

(ii)

that

set

this

election

the

………………………….

party, which is registered political party without

reserved

symbol or

(iii)

that I am contesting this election as an independent

candidate.(Strike out which is not applicable) and that

the

symbols I have chosen, in order of preference, are:-

(i)………………………………………………

(ii)……………………………………………..

(iii)…………………………………………………..

(c)

that my name and my father’s / mother’s / husband’s name

have

been correctly spelt out above in Telugu.

(d)

that to the best of my knowledge and belief, I am qualified

and

not

disqualified for being chosen to fill the seat in the Municipality.

(b) that the code of conduct prescribed by the State Election

Commission is read by me / is read over to me and I will abide

by it.

Date……….

Signature of the candidate

November 2, 2019]

RULES SUPPLEMENT

G-468/6

Part – III

[See Rule 7(2)(c)]

(Declaration in case of Scheduled Caste / Scheduled Tribe / Backward

Class Candidate)

I hereby declare that I am a member of the ……………………………… Caste /

Tribe /Class which is a Scheduled Caste / Scheduled Tribe / Backward Class of

the State of Telangana in relation to …………………………… District or area in the

State.

Date:

Signature of Candidate

The

above

declaration

solemnly

affirmed

before

i.e.,………………………………… (name of the officer in block letters) by

Sri/Smt/Kum…….……………..…………………who is personally known to me / who

has been identified to my satisfaction by Sri/Smt/Kum …………………..…………… of

………………………… (Municipality/Municipal Corporation /Village/Town)

Signature of the Gazetted Officer or any

officer of the Revenue Department not

below the rank of a Dy. Tahasildar.

(Seal of office)

Full designation

Date :

TELANGANA GAZETTE

[Part I

Part – IV

Receipt of Nomination Paper

(To be filled by the Returning Officer)

Serial Number of Nomination Paper …………………………………………

This nomination paper was delivered to me at my office at

………………………… (hour) on ……………………. (date) by the candidate / proposer.

Date:

Returning Officer

_________________________________________________________________

Part – V

(Decision of Returning Officer accepting or rejecting the Nomination Paper)

I have examined this nomination in accordance with Rule 11 of Telangana

Municipalities & Municipal Corporations (Conduct of Election) Rules, 2019 and

decide as follows:-

Accepted / Rejected

Reasons for Rejection

……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

Date :

Returning Officer

TELANGANA GAZETTE

[Part I

FORM – III

[See rule 10]

LIST OF NOMINATIONS RECEIVED

*Ordinary/ Casual Elections …………

Election to Member of Ward No ............ of ......................…………… Municipality /Municipal Corporation in .................................

District.

Name of

the Political

party

Particulars

Candidate’s

Proposer’s

(National/

of Caste or

Ward

State or

Symbols

S.No of

Name of the

Father’s /

Age of

Tribes or

Electoral

Name

Electoral

Registered)

chosen in

Nomination

Mother’s /

the

Occupation

Class for

Roll serial

of the

Roll serial

by which

order of

Paper

herCandidate

Husband’s

candidate

& Address

candidates

number in

Proposer

number in

the

preference

Name

belonging

Municipality /

Municipality/

candidate

by the

to SC /ST

Municipal

claims to

candidate

or BC

Corporation

have been

set up/

independent

candidate

The nomination papers will be taken up for scrutiny at …………… A.M./ P.M. on …………………. (date) at

……………………………………….(place).

Place :

Signature of the Returning Officer or

Date :

other authorised person

* Strike off the inappropriate alternative.

November 2, 2019]

RULES SUPPLEMENT

FORM - IV

[See Rule 11 (4)]

LIST OF VALIDLY NOMINATED CANDIDATES

*Ordinary/ Casual Elections …………

Election to Member of Ward No ............ of ......................…………… Municipality /

Municipal Corporations in ................................. District.

Sl. No.

Name of the

Party

Candidate

father/mother/

Address of the

affiliation, if

husband

Candidate

any

(1)

(2)

(3)

(4)

(5)

Etc.

Place :

Returning Officer.

Date :

* Strike off the inappropriate alternative.

TELANGANA GAZETTE

[Part I

FORM - V

[See Rule 13(1)]

NOTICE OF WITHDRAWAL OF CANDIDATURE

*Ordinary/ Casual Elections …………

Election to Member of Ward No ............ of ......................……………

Municipality / Municipal Corporations in ................................. District.

The Returning Officer,

……………………………………………………………….

validly

nominated

candidate at the above election do hereby give notice that I withdraw my

candidature from the elections.

Place :

Date :

Signature of Candidate.

This notice was delivered to me at my office at ………………. (hour) on

………………….(date)

………………………………………………..

(name)

the

candidate / candidate’s proposer / candidate’s Election Agent who has been

authorised in writing by the candidate to deliver it.

Date :

Returning Officer.

RECEIPT FOR NOTICE OF WITHDRAWAL

(To be handed over to the person delivering the notice)

The notice of withdrawal of candidature by …………………………………. a

validly nominated candidate at the election to Member of Ward No. …………. of

……………………………. Municipality/Municipal Corporation in ………………….………….

District was delivered to me by the *candidate/candidates proposer / candidate’s

Election Agent who has been authorised in writing by the candidate to deliver it

at my office at ………………….. (hour) on …………………… (date).

Returning Officer.

* Strike off the inappropriate alternative.

November 2, 2019]

RULES SUPPLEMENT

FORM – VI

[See Rule 13(2)]

PUBLICATION OF NOTICE OF WITHDRAWAL OF

CANDIDATURE

*Ordinary/ Casual Elections …………

Election to Member of Ward No ............ of ......................……………

Municipality / Municipal Corporation in .................................

District.

Notice is hereby given that the following validly nominated

candidate/ candidates at the above election withdraw his/her candidature /

their candidatures today.

Sl. No.

Name of Validly

Nominated Candidate

Address of Validly

Nominated

Candidate

Remarks

TELANGANA GAZETTE

[Part I

FORM - VII

[See Rule 14 (1)]

LIST OF CONTESTING CANDIDATES

*Ordinary/ Casual Elections …………

Election to Member of Ward No ............ of ......................……………

Municipality

Municipal

Corporation in .................................

District.

Sl.

No.

Name of the

Candidate

Address of

the

Candidate

Party

affiliation, if

any

Symbol

Allotted

(1)

(2)

(3)

(4)

(5)

etc.

Place :

Returning Officer.

Date :

Note:

The names of candidates shall be placed in the following categories.

candidates of recognized National and State political parties

registered with TSEC.

candidates of political parties registered with TSEC with a

reserved symbol.

candidates of political parties registered with TSEC without a

reserved symbol

independent candidates.

Under Col. No. 1 above, the serial numbers of candidates of all above four

categories shall be given consecutively and not separately for each

category.

* Strike off the inappropriate alternative.

November 2, 2019]

RULES SUPPLEMENT

FORM – VIII

[See Rule 15]

DECLARATION OF THE RESULT OF UNCONTESTED

ELECTION

*Ordinary/ Casual Elections …………

In accordance with Rule 15 of Telangana Municipalities & Municipal

Corporations (Conduct of Election) Rules, 2019, I declare that the following

candidate has been duly elected for the office of Member of Ward No.

…………. of ………………………….……. Municipality/ Municipal Corporation in

…………………………. District.

Name

:……………………………

Address

: …………………………………………………………………

………………………………………………………………..

Party affiliation, if any: ……………………………………………

Place:

Date :

Signature of the Returning Officer.

* Strike off the inappropriate alternative.

G-468/7

TELANGANA GAZETTE

[Part I

FORM – IX

[See Rule 17 (1)]

APPOINTMENT OF ELECTION AGENT

*Ordinary/ Casual Elections …………

Election to Member of Ward No ............ of ......................……………

Municipality / Municipal Corporation in .................................

District.

The Returning Officer,

…………………. Ward.

………………………………. Municipality / Municipal Corporation

I, …………………………………….. R/o………………………………………; a

candidate

the

above

election

hereby

appoint

Sri/Smt/Kum………………………..…… R/o……………………………………….…….. as

my “Election Agent” at the above election from this day.

Place :

Date :

Signature of Candidate.

I accept the above appointment.

Place :

Date :

Signature of Election Agent

Approved

Signature and seal of the

Returning Officer

* Strike off the inappropriate alternative.

November 2, 2019]

RULES SUPPLEMENT

FORM – IXA

[See Rule 17 (3)]

REVOCATION OF APPOINTMENT OF ELECTION AGENT

*Ordinary/ Casual Elections …………

Election to Member of Ward No ............ of ......................……………

Municipality / Municipal Corporation in ................................. District.

The Returning Officer,

.................... Ward.

…………………….. Municipality / Municipal Corporation

I, …………………………………….. R/o………………………………….………………; a

candidate at the above election do hereby revoke the appointment of

Sri/Smt/Kum………………..........………..…… R/o……………………………………….…...…..

as my “Election Agent” at the above election from this day.

Place :

Date :

Signature of Candidate.

* Strike off the inappropriate alternative.

TELANGANA GAZETTE

[Part I

FORM - X

[See Rule 18 (2)]

APPOINTMENT OF POLLING AGENT

*Ordinary/ Casual Elections …………

Election to Member of Ward No ............ of ......................……………

Municipality / Municipal Corporation in ................................. District.

I, ………………………………………………………. a candidate / the Election Agent

of Sri/ Smt/ Kum ……………………………………………..………… who is a candidate for

the

above

election,

hereby

appoint

(name

and

address)

…………………………….………………………. as a polling agent to attend polling station

No. ………………………… fixed for the poll to be held on ……………………

at ………………………………...

Place :

Date :

Signature of Candidate / Election Agent

I agree to act as such polling agent.

Signature of Polling Agent

November 2, 2019]

RULES SUPPLEMENT

Declaration of Polling Agent to be signed before Presiding Officer

I hereby declare that at above election I will not do anything forbidden by

Section 212 of the Telangana Municipalities Act, 2019, which I have read / has

been read over to me.

Date: ……………

Signature of Polling Agent.

Signed before me

Date: ……………

Presiding Officer

Note: The appointment order shall be made in duplicate and one copy thereof

shall be handed over to the polling agent for production at the polling

station and the other copy to be sent to the Returning Officer.

* Strike off the inappropriate alternative.

TELANGANA GAZETTE

[Part I

FORM – XA

[See Rule 18 (5)]

REVOCATION OF APPOINTMENT OF POLLING AGENT

*Ordinary/ Casual Elections …………

Election to Member of Ward No ............ of ......................……………

Municipality / Municipal Corporation in .................................

District.

The Returning Officer,

....................Ward.

……………………………..……… Municipality / Municipal Corporation

I, ……………………………………………..………… a candidate / the Election

Agent of Sri/Sri/Kum ………………………………… at the above election, do

hereby revoke the appointment of Sri/Smt/Kum……………….......……

R/o……………………………….. as my/his/her polling agent at Polling Station

No………...……... for the poll to be held on ………………………

Place :

Date :

Signature of Person Revoking

(Candidate or his/her Election Agent)

Copy to the Presiding Officer : PS No. ……………………..for necessary

action

* Strike off the inappropriate alternative.

November 2, 2019]

RULES SUPPLEMENT

FORM - XI

[See Rule 19 (2)]

APPOINTMENT OF COUNTING AGENT

*Ordinary/ Casual Elections …………

Election to Member of Ward No ............ of ......................……………

Municipality / Municipal Corporation in ................................. District.

The Returning Officer,

……………… Ward.

…………………………………………….…….. Municipality / Municipal Corporation

I, ……………………………………. a candidate / the Election Agent of

Sri/Smt/Kum ……………………………………, who is a candidate at the above

election, do hereby appoint the following persons as my/his/her counting agents

to attend the counting of votes at …………………………………. on ……………….

Name of the Counting Agent

Address of the Counting Agent.

Signature of Candidate / Election Agent

I/We agree to act as such counting agents.

Signatures of the counting agents

Place :

TELANGANA GAZETTE

[Part I

Declaration of counting agents

We hereby declare that at the above election we will not do

anything forbidden by Section 212 of the Telangana Municipalities Act,

2019 which we have read/ has been read over to us.

Signature of counting agents

Signed before me

Date ……………

Returning Officer

* Strike off the inappropriate alternative.

November 2, 2019]

RULES SUPPLEMENT

G-468/8

FORM – XIA

[See Rule 19(4)]

REVOCATION OF APPOINTMENT OF COUNTING AGENT

*Ordinary/ Casual Elections …………

Election to Member of Ward No ............ of ......................……………

Municipality / Municipal Corporation in ................................. District.

The Returning Officer,

...................Ward

…………………………………..…. Municipality / Municipal Corporation.

I, ……………………………………………..………… a candidate / the Election Agent

of Sri/Sri/Kum ………………………………… at the above election do hereby revoke

the appointment of Sri/Smt/Kum……........................R/o…………..............….……..

as my/his/her counting agent for the above election.

Place :

Date :

Signature of Person Revoking

(Candidate or his/her Election Agent)

* Strike off the inappropriate alternative.

TELANGANA GAZETTE

[Part I

FORM - XII

[See Rule 25(1)]

APPLICATION FOR POSTAL BALLOT PAPER

*Ordinary/ Casual Elections …………

The Returning Officer,

......................Ward

......................... Municipality/Municipal Corporation.

Sir,

I have been appointed for polling duties for ensuing elections to

…………….Ward of ....................................... Municipality / Municipal

Corporation in ……………………………..…..District (Order copy enclosed).

Hence, I intend to cast my vote by post at the ensuing election to

Member of Ward No ............ of ...............................… Municipality /

Municipal Corporation in ................................. District.

My name is entered at Sl. No. …….……….. in the electoral roll for……

………. Ward in ……………………… …… Municipality/ Municipal Corporation.

The Ballot paper may be sent to me at the following address (or)

personally delivered to me at your office:

-----------------

Yours faithfully

(Signature of the Applicant)

Place :

Date :

Enclosed : Appointment order copy

* Strike off the inappropriate alternative.

November 2, 2019]

RULES SUPPLEMENT

FORM - XIII

[See Rule 25(2)]

APPLICATION FOR ELECTION DUTY CERTIFICATE

*Ordinary/ Casual Elections …………

The Returning Officer,

...................... Ward

......................... Municipality / Municipal Corporation.

Sir,

I intend to cast my vote in person at the ensuing election to Member

of Ward No ............ of ......................……… Municipality / Municipal

Corporation in ................................. District.

I have been posted on election duty with in the ward but elsewhere

than the polling station at which I am entitled to vote.

My name is entered at Sl. No. …….……….. in the electoral roll

for…………….Ward

……………………………

Municipality/Municipal

Corporation.

I request that an “Election Duty Certificate” in Form XIV may be

issued to enable me to vote at the polling station where I will be on duty

with in the ward on the day of polling. It may be sent to me at the

following address or personally delivered to me at your office.

-----------------

Yours faithfully

-----------------

(Signature of the Applicant)

Place :

Date :

* Strike off the inappropriate alternative.

TELANGANA GAZETTE

[Part I

FORM - XIV

[See Rule 25(2)(a)]

ELECTION DUTY CERTIFICATE

*Ordinary/ Casual Elections …………

Certified that Sri/Smt/Kum …………………………….………… is an elector in the

……….Ward of …………………………………. Municipality / Municipal Corporation in

………………………………. District and his/her electoral roll number being

……………..…………….. of same ward in …………………………………….. Municipality /

Municipal Corporation that by reason of his/her being on election duty in other

polling station with in the Ward, he/she is unable to vote at the polling station

where he/she is entitled to vote and that he/she is therefore hereby authorised

to vote at any polling station (in the Ward No………… of …………. Municipality /

Municipal Corporation in…………..…………….. District, as the case may be) where

he/she may be on duty on the date of poll.

Place :

Date :

Signature ………………………….

Returning Officer

(With Seal)

* Strike off the inappropriate alternative.

November 2, 2019]

RULES SUPPLEMENT

FORM – XV

[See Rules 27(1) (a)]

DECLARATION BY ELECTOR

*Ordinary/ Casual Elections …………

Election to Member of Ward No ............ of ......................……………

Municipality / Municipal Corporation in ................................. District.

(This side is to be used only when the elector signs the declaration himself /

herself)

I hereby declare that I am the elector to whom the postal ballot paper bearing

serial number ……………………..….. has been issued at the above election.

Date……………….

Signature of elector.

Address…………..…………..

--------x ----------

Attestation of Signature

The above has been signed in my presence by Sri/Smt/Kum………………..………

(elector) who is personally known to me/has been identified to my satisfaction by

Sri/Smt/Kum ……………………… (Identifier) who is personally known to me.

Signature of Attesting Officer,

Signature of identifier, if any ………………..

Designation …….………………

Address ……………………………………

Address …………….……………

Date ……………

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

(This side is to be used when the elector cannot sign himself / herself)

I hereby declare that I am the elector to whom the postal ballot paper bearing

serial number ………………………..….. has been issued at the above election.

Signature of Attesting Officer on behalf of elector.

Date ……………….

Address of Elector ……………………………….………

* Strike off the inappropriate alternative.

TELANGANA GAZETTE

[Part I

CERTIFICATE

I hereby certify that –

the above named elector in Ward No. …………. of ……………………..….

Municipality/Municipal Corporation in ………… ……………………. District

is personally known to me/has been identified to my satisfaction by

Sri/Smt/Kum ………………………….. (identifier) who is personally

known to me;

I am satisfied that the elector in Ward No. …….. of Municipality/

Municipal Corporation, …………………………………. District is illiterate/

suffers from ……………………….….. (infirmity) and is unable to record

his/her vote himself / herself or sign his/her declaration:

I was requested by him/her to mark the ballot paper and to sign the

above declaration on his /her behalf; and

The ballot paper was marked and the declaration is signed by me on

his/her behalf in his/her presence and in accordance with his/her

wishes.

Signature of identifier, if any ………………….

Address ………………………..

Date : ………………………….

Signature of Attesting Officer

Designation ……………………..

Address …………………………..

Date:……………………………….

November 2, 2019]

RULES SUPPLEMENT

FORM XVI

[See Rule 27 (1) (b)]

Cover ‘A’ for Postal Ballot

COVER

NOT TO BE OPENED BEFORE COUNTING

POSTAL BALLOT PAPER (Form – XVI)

*Ordinary/ Casual Elections …………

Election to member of Ward No. …………. of …………………………………

Municipality/ Municipal Corporation in ………………………………………. District

Serial number of the Ballot Paper

* Strike off the inappropriate alternative.

‘A’

TELANGANA GAZETTE

[Part I

FORM XVII

[See Rule 27 (1) (c)]

cover ‘B’ for Postal Ballot

COVER

ELECTION – IMMEDIATE [Service Unpaid]

POSTAL BALLOT PAPER (Form – XVII)

* Ordinary / Casual Election ………….

Election to Member of **Ward No. ……….. of …………………………………

Municipality/ Municipal Corporation in ……………………………… District.

(NOT TO BE OPENED BEFORE COUNTING)

*** To

The Returning Officer,

Signature of sender …………………………

.................................

* Strike off the inappropriate alternative.

** Returning Officer to insert here the No. of the appropriate Ward.

*** Returning Officer to mention here his/her full postal address.

‘B’

November 2, 2019]

RULES SUPPLEMENT

Record your vote by placing clearly a mark against the name of the candidate whom you wish to

vote.

The mark should be so placed as to indicate clearly and beyond doubt to which candidate you are

giving your vote. If the mark is so placed as to make it doubtful to which candidate you have given your

vote, your vote will be invalid.

The number of members to be elected is one. Please remember that you have only one vote.

Accordingly you should not vote for more than one candidate. If you do so, your ballot paper will be

rejected.

Do, not put your signature or write any word or mark any mark, sign or writing whatsoever on

the ballot paper other than the mark required to record your vote.

After you have recorded your vote on the ballot paper, place the ballot paper in the smaller cover

marked ‘A’ sent herewith. Close the cover and secure it by seal or otherwise.

(1)

You may then sign the declaration in From-XV also sent herewith in the presence of a

stipendiary magistrate or other officer specified in rule 27(1)(a) and obtain the attestation of your

signature by such stipendiary magistrate.

(2)

If you are a member of the armed forces of the Union or of an armed police force of a

State but is serving outside that State, the attestation may be obtained by such officer as may be

appointed in this behalf by the Commanding Officer of the Unit, ship or establishment in which you or

your husband, as the case may be, are employed.

(3)

If you are employed under the Government of India in a post outside India the attestation

may be obtained by such officer as may be appointed in this behalf by the diplomatic or consular

representative of India in the country in which you are resident.

(4)

If you hold an office like the office of the (i) President, (ii) Vice-President (iii)Governors of

State, (iv) Cabinet Ministers of the Union or of any State, (v) The Deputy Chairman and Members of

the Planning Commission, (vi) The Ministers of State of the Union or of any State, (vii) Deputy Minister

of the Union of any State, (viii) The Speaker of the House of the People or of any State Legislative

G-468/9

FORM XVIII

[See Rule 27]

INSTRUCTIONS FOR GUIDANCE OF ELECTORS

(for Postal ballot)

*Ordinary/ Casual Elections …………

Election to Member of Ward No ............ of ......................……………

Municipality/ Municipal Corporation in ................................. District.

Part – I

The postal ballot paper for election to Ward Member of Municipality/

Corporation contains names of contesting candidates and their party

affiliation if any. For the information of elector, the names of the

contesting candidates and the symbols allotted to them in the election to

the said office are listed below –

Sl.No.

Name of the Candidate

Symbol allotted

TELANGANA GAZETTE

[Part I

Assembly, (ix) The Chairman of any State Legislative Council (x) Lieutenant Governor of Union Territories,

(xi) The Deputy Speaker of the House of the People or of any State Legislative Assembly, (xii) The

Deputy Chairman of the Council of States or of any State Legislative council, (xiii) Parliamentary

Secretaries of the union or of any State, the attestation may be obtained by an officer not below the

rank of a Deputy Secretary to the Government of the Union or the State, as the case may be.

(5)

If you are on an election duty, attestation may be obtained by any gazetted officer or by

the Presiding Officer of the polling station in which you are on election duty.

(6)

If you are under preventive detention, the attestation may be obtained by the

Superintendent of the jail or the Commandant of the detention camp in which you are under detention.

In all the above cases you may take the declaration to the authorised officer and sign it in his/

her presence after he/she has satisfied himself / herself about your identity. The officer will attest your

signature and return the declaration to you. You must not show your ballot paper to the attesting officer

nor tell him/ her how you have voted.

If you are unable to mark the ballot paper and sign the declaration yourself in the manner

indicated above by reason of illiteracy, blindness or other infirmity, you are entitled to have your vote

marked and declaration signed on your behalf by any of the authorised officer mentioned above. Such

an officer will, at your request mark the ballot paper in your presence and in accordance with your

wishes. He/ She will also complete the necessary certificate in this behalf.

Part – II

After your declaration has been signed and your signature has been attested, place the declaration

in Form- XV as also the smaller cover marked ‘A’ containing the ballot paper in the larger cover marked

‘B’ in Form - XVII. After closing the larger cover, send it to the returning officer by post or by

messenger. You have to give full signature in the space provided on the cover marked ‘B’.

No postage stamp need to affix by you, if the cover is posted in India. If, however, you are an

elector employed under the Government of India in a post outside India, you should return the cover to

the returning officer concerned direct by air mail service after the requisite postage stamp is duly affixed

thereon by the office in which you are serving except where it is sent by diplomatic bag.

You must ensure that the cover reaches the Returning Officer before the hour fixed for the

commencement of counting of votes

Please note that:-

(a)

if you fail to get your declaration attested or certified in the manner indicated above, your

ballot paper will be rejected; and

(b)

if the cover reaches the Returning Officer after the hour fixed for the commencement of

counting of votes your vote will not be counted.

* Strike off the inappropriate alternative.

November 2, 2019]

RULES SUPPLEMENT

FORM XIX

[See Rule 43(2)(c)]

LIST OF CHALLENGED VOTES

*Ordinary/ Casual Elections …………

Election to Member of Ward No ............ of ......................…………… Municipality/ Municipal

Corporation in ................................. District.

Name and Number of the Polling Station ……………… of Ward No. ………….…. in……………………………

Municipality/ Municipal Corporation

Sl. No.

Sl. No. of

Elector in the

Electoral Roll

Name of Elector

Signature or

thumb

impression of

the person

challenged

and his/her

address

Name of

Challenger

Signatures or

thumb

impression

and address

of identifier, if

any

Order of

Presiding

Officer

Signature of

Challenger on

receiving

refund of

deposit if the

challenge is

proved

(1)

(2)

(3)

(4)

(5)

(6)

(7)

(8)

Place :

Date :

Signature of Presiding Officer

* Strike off the inappropriate alternative.

TELANGANA GAZETTE

[Part I

FORM - XX

[See Rule 48 (1)]

DECLARATION BY THE COMPANION OF

BLIND OR INFIRM VOTER

*Ordinary/ Casual Elections …………

Election to Member of Ward No ............ of ......................……………

Municipality/ Municipal Corporation in ................................. District.

(Name and Number of the Polling Station......................................... in Ward

No.......... of …………………………….. Municipality/ Municipal Corporation)

I, .................................. son /daughter of ......................aged ...............years

resident of **.................................................................................................

hereby declare that,

(a)

I have not acted as companion of any other elector at any polling station

today, the ………………………….; and

(b)

I will maintain secrecy of voting recorded by me on behalf of

……................................

Signature of Companion

* Strike off the inappropriate alternative.

** Full address to be given

November 2, 2019]

RULES SUPPLEMENT

FORM - XXI

[See Rule 48 (2)]

LIST OF BLIND OR INFIRM VOTERS

*Ordinary/ Casual Elections …………

Election to Member of Ward No ............ of ......................……………

Municipality/ Municipal Corporation in................................. District.

Name and Number of the Polling Station......................................... in Ward

No.......... of …………………………….. Municipality/Municipal Corporation.

Sl. No. in

Electoral Roll

Full Name of

Voter

Full Name of

Companion

Address of

Companion

Signature/

Thumb

Impression of

Companion

(1)

(2)

(3)

(4)

(5)

Date :…………………..

Signature of Presiding Officer.

Polling Station No. & Name………….

* Strike off the inappropriate alternative.

TELANGANA GAZETTE

[Part I

FORM - XXII

[See Rule 50 (2)]

LIST OF TENDERED VOTES

(when ballot boxes are used)

*Ordinary/ Casual Elections …………

Election to Member of Ward No ............ of ......................……………

Municipality/ Municipal Corporation in................................. District.

Name of Number of the Polling Station......................................... in Ward

No.......... of …………………………….. Municipality/Municipal Corporation.

Sl.

No.

Name of the

Elector

Sl. No. of

elector in

Electoral Roll

Serial No. of

Tendered

Ballot paper

issued

Signature /

thumb

impression of

person

tendering

vote

Serial No. of

Ballot Paper

issued to the

person who had

already voted

(1)

(2)

(3)

(4)

(5)

(6)

Place :

Date :

Signature of the Presiding officer

PS. No. & Name…………………….

* Strike off the inappropriate alternative.

November 2, 2019]

RULES SUPPLEMENT

FORM - XXIII

[See Rule 52 (1)]

BALLOT PAPER ACCOUNT

(when ballot boxes are used)

**Ordinary/ Casual Elections …………

Election to Member of Ward No ............ of ......................……………

Municipality/ Municipal Corporation in ................................. District.

PART - I

Ward No……………………….

Municipality/ Municipal Corporation …………………………………………………

Name and No. of the Polling Station……………………………………………..

Sl. No.

Details

Serial No (s)

Total No

From

(1)

(2)

(3)

(4)

(5)

Ballot Papers Received

………

…….

*Ballot Papers unused (i.e. not issued to

Voters):

(a) With the signature of Presiding

Officer

………

(b) Without the Signature of Presiding

Officer

……….

……..

*Ballot Papers used at the Polling Station

(1-2=3)

………

TELANGANA GAZETTE

[Part I

Ballot Papers used at the Polling Stations

but not inserted into the Ballot Box

(a) Ballot Papers cancelled for violation of

voting procedure under Rule 47

………

(b) Ballot Papers cancelled for other

reasons

……....

Papers

……….

(d) Total (a) + (b) + (c)

………

* Ballot Papers to be found in the Ballot

Box (3-4=5)

……….

Place :

Date :

Signature of the Presiding Officer

PS No. & Name ………………………..

* Serial number need not be given

* * Strike off the inappropriate alternative.

November 2, 2019]

RULES SUPPLEMENT

Part – II (of Form XXIII)

RESULT OF INITIAL COUNTING

(to be used when the counting of votes is done by mixing)

Total number of ballot papers found in the ballot box (es) used at

the polling station are : ……………………………….

Discrepancy, if any, between the total number as shown against

item 1 in this Part and the total number of ballot papers to be found

in the ballot box(es) shown in item 5 of Part-I are: ………………………

…………………………………………………………….…….......................

Date……………

Signature of Counting Supervisor

Signature of the Returning Officer

PS No. & Name ………………………..

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------

G-468/10

TELANGANA GAZETTE

[Part I

FORM – XXIV

[See rules 57(11), 59 & 93]

FINAL RESULT SHEET

*Ordinary/ Casual Elections …………

(to be used for recording the result where counting is done

polling station wise i.e., where EVMs are used)

Election to Member of Ward No ............ of ......................……………

Municipality/ Municipal Corporation in ................................. District.

Serial No. of

the Polling

Station

Candidate-wise Polled Valid

Votes

Total

Valid

Votes

(A+B

+C) =

(I)

No. of

rejected

votes

(II)

Votes

polled

NOTA

(III)

Total

Votes

polled

(I)+(II)+

(III)

Total No.

Tendered

Votes

Candidate

(1)

(2)

etc

(i) Total No. of

Votes Recorded

Polling

Stations

(ii) No. of Valid

Votes Recorded

on Postal Ballot

Papers

for

candidates and

rejected postal

ballot papers.

Grand Total

(i+ii)

Place……………….

Date ………………...

Returning Officer

* Strike off the inappropriate alternative.

November 2, 2019]

RULES SUPPLEMENT

FORM – XXIV

[See rules 57(11), 59 & 93]

FINAL RESULT SHEET

(to be used when the counting of votes is done by mixing where Ballot Boxes are used)

*Ordinary/ Casual Elections …………

Election to Member of Ward No ............ of ......................…………… Municipality / Municipal Corporation of

................................. District.

Sl. No.

Polling Station No.

Total votes found in the ballot box (es)

No. of tendered votes

(1)

(2)

(3)

(4)

(5)

(6)

Total

1. Total No. of valid votes recorded

for candidates and of rejected Ballot

Papers

Candidate’s wise polled valid votes

Total Valid Votes

(A+B+C+D) =

(I)

No. of rejected

votes

(II)

NOTA

(III)

Total votes polled

(I)+(II)+(III)

1st Round

2nd Round

3rd Round

4th Round

5th Round

6th Round

2. Total number of valid votes

recorded on postal ballot papers for

candidates and of rejected Postal

ballot papers

Grand Total

Place……………….

Date ………………...

Returning Officer

* Strike off the inappropriate alternative.

TELANGANA GAZETTE

[Part I

FORM XXV

[See Rule 62]

(for use in election when the seat is contested)

DECLARATION OF RESULT OF ELECTION

*Ordinary/ Casual Elections …………

In accordance with Rule 62 of Telangana Municipalities and

Municipal Corporations (Conduct of Election of Member) Rules, 2019, I,

declare that the following candidate has been elected to the office of

Member of Ward No ............ of ......................…. Municipality/ Municipal

Corporation in ................................ District.

Name in Full :

Address

Party affiliation, if any;

Place :

Date:

Signature of Returning Officer

* Strike off the inappropriate alternative.

November 2, 2019]

RULES SUPPLEMENT

FORM XXVI

[See Rule 62 (1)(b)]

RETURN OF ELECTION

*Ordinary/ Casual Elections …………

Election to Member of Ward No ............ of ......................……………

Municipality/

Municipal

Corporation in

.................................

District.

Serial

Name of the Candidate

Party Affiliation,

if any

Number of Votes

Polled

Total number of Electors…………………………………………………………

Total number of Valid Votes Polled………………………………………………

Total number of Rejected Votes…………………………………………………..

Total number of Tendered Votes………………………………………………..

Total No. of votes polled for None of the Above

(NOTA)……………………………….

I declare that -

Sri/Smt/Kum…………………………………………………………(Name) of ...………..…

………………………………………………… (address) has been duly elected to fill

the seat.

Place……………………..

Dated……………………..

Returning Officer

* Strike off the inappropriate alternative.

TELANGANA GAZETTE

[Part I

FORM XXVII

[See Rule 15 or 63]

CERTIFICATE OF ELECTION

*Ordinary/ Casual Elections …………

I …….................................., Returning Officer for ward No......... of

..................................

Municipality/Municipal

Corporation

...................................... District hereby certifies that I have on the

....................day of 20...... Declare Sri/Smt/Kum .....................................

of .............................. (Party, if any) to have been duly elected to the

said ward to be a member of................................. Municipality/ Municipal

Corporation in.................................... District and that in token thereof I

have granted to him/her this certificate of election.

Place............................

Date.............................

Returning Officer

(with seal)

* Strike off the inappropriate alternative.

November 2, 2019]

RULES SUPPLEMENT

FORM – XXVIII

[See Rule 78]

*Ordinary/ Casual Elections …………

Election to Member of Ward No ............ of ......................……………

Municipality/

Municipal

Corporation in

.................................

District.

Name & No. of the Polling Station ______________________________

Sl .No.

Sl. No. of elector in the

electoral roll

Signature / Thumb

impression of

elector

Remarks

(1)

(2)

(3)

(4)

Etc

Date ……………

Signature of the Presiding Officer

P.S No. & Name……………..

* Strike off the inappropriate alternative.

TELANGANA GAZETTE

[Part I

FORM – XXIX

[See Rule 80 (1)]

FORM OF DECLARATION BY ELECTOR (where EVMs are used)

(for test votes)

*Ordinary/ Casual Elections …………

Election

the

………………

Ward

……………………………..

Municipality/ Municipal Corporation in ………………………………… District:

No. and Name of the Ward: …………………………………………………..

No. and Name of the Polling station…………………………………………

1. I hereby solemnly and affirm that the paper slip generated by the

printer attached to the Balloting Unit has shown the name and / or symbol

of a candidate other than the candidate for whom I voted by pressing the

concerned blue button against the name and symbol of the candidate of

my choice on the Balloting Unit. I am ready to cast a test vote again to

show that the allegation made by me is true and bonafide.

2. I am aware of the penal provisions of section 177 of the IPC that I shall

be liable to be punished with imprisonment for a term which may extend

to six months, or with fine which may extend to one thousand rupees, or

with both, if the declaration given by me in para 1 above to the Presiding

Officer appointed under Rule 2 (n) of Telangana Municipalities and

Municipal Corporations (Conduct of Election of Members) Rules, 2019 is

found to be incorrect.

Signature/Thumb impression of the Elector

Name of the Elector………………………………………

Father/Mother/Husband’s Name…………………….

PS No. of elector roll ……………………………………

Sl.No. of elector in that PS…………………………….

Sl. No. in Register of Voters ………….………….

Dated………………………………..

Certified that the above declaration was made and subscribed by the

elector above named before me.

Signature of the Presiding Officer

Dated……………………

PS.No. & Name …………………

* Strike off the inappropriate alternative.

November 2, 2019]

RULES SUPPLEMENT

FORM – XXX

[See Rule 83]

LIST OF TENDERED VOTES

(when EVMs are used)

*Ordinary/ Casual Elections …………

Election to Member of Ward No ............ of ......................……………

Municipality / Municipal Corporation in .................................

District.

Name & No. of the Polling Station ______________________________

Sl.

No.

Name of Elector

Sl. No. of

Elector in

Electoral Roll

Sl. No. in Register of Voters

(Form XXXI) of the person

who has already voted in

place of elector

Signature

/ Thumb

impression

of elector

(1)

(2)

(3)

(4)

(5)

Date:

Signature of the Presiding Officer

PS. No. & Name…………………….

* Strike off the inappropriate alternative.

G-468/11

TELANGANA GAZETTE

[Part I

FORM – XXXI

[See Rule 86]

ACCOUNT OF VOTES RECORDED

(when EVMs are used)

*Ordinary/ Casual Elections …………

Election to Member of Ward No ............ of ......................……………

Municipality / Municipal Corporation in................................. District.

PART – I

No. & Name of the Polling Station

Serial No. of Control Unit of EVM used at

Polling Station

Serial No. of Balloting Unit of EVM used at

Polling Station

Serial No. of DMM/SDMM if used

Total No. of electors assigned to the

Polling Station.

Total No. of voters as entered in the

No. of voters decided not to record

votes Under Rule 82

No. of voters not allowed to vote

under Rule 79

Total No. of votes recorded as per

Voting machine.

Whether the total No. of votes as

shown against item 5 tallies with the

total No. of voters as shown against

item 2 minus total No. of voters as

against item 3 & 4 i.e. [2-(3+4) = 5]

or any discrepancies noticed.

November 2, 2019]

RULES SUPPLEMENT

No. of voters to whom tendered

ballot papers were issued under

Rule 83

No. of tendered ballot papers.

Sl. Nos

Total

From

(a) received for use

(b) issued to electors

Account of paper seals

Sl. Nos

Total

From

a) Total number supplied

b) Number of paper seals used

c) Number of unused paper

seals returned to Returning

Officer (Deduct item a from

item b)

d) Serial number of damaged

paper seals, if any

Signature of Polling Agents.

Shri/Smt/Kum………………… (of candidate) Shri/Smt/Kum ……….…………..)

Shri/Smt/Kum………………… (of candidate) Shri/Smt/Kum ……….…………….)

Shri/Smt/Kum………………… (of candidate) Shri/Smt/Kum ……….…………..)

Date :

Place:

Signature of Presiding Officer

Polling Station No. & Name

* Strike off the inappropriate alternative.

TELANGANA GAZETTE

[Part I

Part – II

Result of Counting (Where VVPATS are used)

Sl.No.

Name of the

No. of Votes as

No. of test votes to

No. of valid

Candidate

displayed on

be deducted as for

votes (3-4)

control unit

item 5 of Part-I

None of the above

(NOTA)

Total:

Whether, the total Nos., of votes shown above tallies with the total

No. of votes shown against item 6 of Part – I or any discrepancy noticed

between the two totals. If any discrepancy noticed, the reasons for

discrepancy are …………………………………………………………………………...

Place:

Date:

Signature of Counting Supervisor

Sl.

No.

Name of the Candidate/

Election Agent /Counting Agent

Full signature

Date:

Signature of Returning Officer

November 2, 2019]

RULES SUPPLEMENT

PART - III

(When printed paper count is needed)

(Where EVMs and VVPATs are used)

RESULT OF PRINTED PAPER COUNT

(for Municipalities / Municipal Corporations)

No. and Name of the Polling Station : …………………………………………

Total number of VVPATs used

: …………………………………………

VVPAT S.No

: …………………………………………

Sl. No. of

candidate

Name of

candidate

Number of

votes as per

count of

Printed Paper

Slip of VVPAT

Number of

test votes to

be deducted

as per item

5 of Part I

Number of

valid votes.

(3-4)

(1)

(2)

(3)

(4)

(5)

Total:

Whether the total nos. of votes shown above tallies with the total No. of

votes shown against item 6 of Part – I or any discrepancy noticed between

the two totals. If any discrepancy noticed, the reasons for discrepancy are

………………....………………………………………………………………………………………

…………………………..

Place:

Date:

Signature of Counting

Supervisor

TELANGANA GAZETTE

[Part I

FORM XXXII

[See Rule 107]

OATH BY MEMBER

*Ordinary/ Casual Elections …………

“I, ……………………………………... having become a Member of the

………………………………. Municipal Council / Mayor of ………………………..

Municipal Corporation / Chairperson of …………………………… Municipality

swear in the name of God / solemnly affirm, that I will bear true faith and

allegiance to the Constitution of India as by law established, that I will

uphold the sovereignty and integrity of India and that I will faithfully

discharge the duty upon which I am about to enter”.

Place............................

Date.............................

SIGNATURE OF MEMBER

* Strike off the inappropriate alternative.

Printed and Published by the Commissioner of Printing, Government of Telangana, at Government Central Press, Chachalguda, Hyderabad.