Election Duty Guidelines: Full Activity List For Polling Personnel And Latest Pay Hike Update
Election Duty Guidelines: Ahead of the upcoming 2026 West Bengal Assembly Elections, a comprehensive activity list from the Distribution Centre (DC) to the Receiving Centre (RC) has been detailed for polling personnel. Ensuring smooth polling requires Presiding Officers and Polling Officers to follow strict protocols at every step. Furthermore, the Election Commission of India (ECI) has recently hiked the remuneration and tiffin allowances for election duty staff.
At a Glance (Key Takeaways)
- Detailed step-by-step responsibilities cover everything from material collection at the DC on P-1 day to preliminary booth setup at night.
- Strict adherence to the Mock Poll process and the mandatory CRC (Close, Result, Clear) sequence is critical to avoid repolls.
- According to the latest update, the ECI has increased the Presiding Officer allowance to Rs 2,000 and the daily tiffin allowance to Rs 500.
P-1 Day Activities at DC and Booth
Upon arriving at the Distribution Centre, personnel must locate their polling station using the decoding list and report for attendance together at their designated counter. The Presiding Officer must match the serial numbers of the Control Unit (CU), Ballot Unit (BU), and VVPAT. Cables must not be connected at the DC. Only the CU should be switched on to check the battery percentage.
After reaching the booth, personnel should complete the pasting of necessary papers while there is daylight. Sorting the marked copy of the electoral roll, Form-17A, and different seals at night ensures a smooth workflow for the following day.
Poll Day Protocol and Mock Poll
Conducting a mock poll with a minimum of 50 votes in the presence of polling agents is mandatory on the morning of the election. The CRC (Close, Result, Clear) sequence must be performed immediately after the mock poll concludes. The CU is then sealed using the green paper seal and the special address tag.
During polling hours, periodic SMS updates must be sent every two hours. At 6 PM, the Close button must be pressed to conclude the poll. The VVPAT battery must be removed before packing the machines.
Final Submission at the Receiving Centre
After the poll, all EVM carrying cases must be sealed with address tags. Personnel must hand over the EVMs, VVPAT, and all statutory and non-statutory covers at the Receiving Centre. Finally, they must ensure the release status is marked on their last appointment letter before leaving.
Latest Update on Remuneration Hike
As per the latest updates in March 2026, the Election Commission has officially hiked the remuneration for polling personnel. The daily allowance for Presiding Officers is now Rs 500, totaling Rs 2,000 for the entire assignment. Polling Officers will receive Rs 400 per day, amounting to a one-time payment of Rs 1,600.
Impact on Employees
Avoiding Penalties: Strict adherence to the EVM sealing and CRC guidelines prevents critical errors. Failing to perform the CRC mixes mock votes with real votes, which can lead to repolls and severe departmental disciplinary proceedings against the employee.
Stress Reduction: Organizing materials and pre-filling forms on P-1 night heavily reduces the mental pressure on the actual election morning.
Financial Relief: The newly increased honorarium and tiffin allowances provide much-needed financial compensation for the long and demanding hours state government employees spend on election duty.
Fact Check: Verified against official Department orders by experienced WB state personnel.
