WB Election 2026: The “Stitch Booklet” is a crucial component for Presiding Officers and polling personnel deployed on duty for the upcoming West Bengal Assembly Elections in 2026. As per Election Commission guidelines, all vital polling station statistics and mandatory forms are provided compiled and stitched into this specific booklet. Presiding Officers must remember that under no circumstances should any form be torn or separated from the booklet. All entries must be completed within the bound pages, and the entire booklet must be submitted in its original stitched condition to the Returning Officer at the Receiving Centre.
Initial Information and Check Memo
The first section of the WB Election Stitch Booklet requires the accurate entry of basic polling station details.
- Assembly Constituency: The name and number of the legislative assembly constituency must be recorded.
- Polling Station: The exact name and specific number of the polling station must be mentioned.
- Check Memo: In the ‘Submitted’ column, ‘Yes’ must be written in all appropriate boxes. A distinguishing mark must be stamped on the blank space on the right side, and the Presiding Officer must sign at the bottom with the date.
- Tally: Data across different forms must be cross-verified. Once matched, ‘Yes’ should be recorded in the ‘Whether Tallied’ column on the right.
Important Forms Inside the Booklet
The stitch booklet contains several critical forms that must be systematically filled out on poll day. Key forms include:
- PS05 Form: Deals with the voter turnout report and other polling station statistics.
- Scrutiny Data Sheet: Contains comprehensive data regarding the polling process.
- Form 17C: The official account of votes recorded in the EVM. Copies of this must be handed over to polling agents.
- Presiding Officer’s Declaration: The formal declarations made before the commencement and after the close of the poll.
- Presiding Officer Diary: A chronological record of all events occurring on poll day.
- 16 Point Additional Input: A specific form capturing 16 additional parameters mandated by the Election Commission.
- Presiding Officer’s Report: This report consists of five parts, detailing critical events like mock polls and EVM replacements, which must be filled out with utmost caution.
- Visit Sheet: Used to record the signatures and timings of Sector Officers, Observers, and other election officials who inspect the booth.
- Certificate of ASD Elector: Maintains a precise count of how many voters from the Absent, Shifted, and Dead (ASD) list actually cast their votes. For instance, if 4 out of 5 Absent voters vote, it must be recorded. If none vote, ‘Nil’ should be written.
- Agent Movement Sheet: Tracks the entry and exit times of polling and relieving agents.
- Videographer Form: If a videographer is assigned to the booth, they must note the number of photos or videos captured and sign with the booth number.
- Visually Impaired Voters Form: Records the details of visually impaired or physically challenged voters who cast their votes with the help of a companion.
Mandatory Rules for Filling Forms
To ensure a seamless handover at the Receiving Centre, Presiding Officers must adhere to these specific rules.
- The distinguishing mark must be stamped, and the Presiding Officer must sign in the designated spaces on every form within the booklet.
- Any unused form (e.g., if there are no visually impaired voters or no videographer) must not be left blank. It must be crossed out diagonally with a pen.
- Finally, the Presiding Officer must cross-check the completed forms against the index to ensure nothing has been missed.
Maintaining an error-free WB Election Stitch Booklet not only complies with election protocols but also ensures that state government employees can quickly submit their materials at the end of a demanding poll day.
