Polling Officers’ Roles and Responsibilities Ahead of March 5 HoR Election

With just 48 days left until the House of Representatives election on March 5, many people are curious about the roles of polling officers at polling stations across the country.

The Election Commission has clearly explained what polling officers must do. According to the Voting Guidelines for Members of the House of Representatives, 2082, polling officers must first attend election-related training after they are appointed. They are also responsible for checking and receiving all election materials.

Polling officers must verify voter ID cards and other materials for the polling station. They need to work closely with assistant polling officers, staff, volunteers, and security personnel, and make sure they arrive at the polling station on time.

They are responsible for setting up polling stations properly. If voting cannot happen at the planned location due to security issues, difficult geography, or other valid reasons, they must report it immediately to the election officer and help arrange an alternative polling station.

Voter ID cards must reach polling stations before voting day. Polling officers also assign tasks to staff and volunteers and ensure that the voting process runs smoothly.

During voting, polling officers must sign ballot papers before giving them to voters and closely monitor the process to keep it orderly. They must regularly update the election officer about what is happening at the polling station.

Polling officers also brief mobile monitoring teams, observers, journalists, monitors, and security personnel visiting the station about the voting situation. They must make sure the election code of conduct is followed and prevent any illegal activities.

Before and after voting, polling officers securely hand over sealed ballot boxes and all election materials to the election officer and get proper receipts.

The guidelines give polling officers authority under the Election (Offences and Punishments) Act, 2073 BS, and they are required to conduct the election in a fair, impartial, and independent way.