No mobile phones, just one identity document enough; Guide for voters ahead of Kerala election

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: 2.71 crore voters will reach the polling booths in the state tomorrow. The fate of the state administration will be decided when voters in all 140 constituencies use their fundamental right to press the candidates of their choice on the voting machine. About two lakh people have already voted from home.

Only Kannur, Kasaragod, Malappuram, Palakkad and Ernakulam districts have auxiliary booths to manage the crowd. 2040 booths in the state are considered prone to violence. There are 352 booths with only women officers and 37 booths managed by differently abled officers. 884 booths will be model booths. 140 polling collection centres and 140 counting centres have been set up in the state at 43 locations.

1. Verify your name in the voter list

To vote, your voter ID (EPIC) alone is not enough; your name must be in the voter list.

To check: Visit voters.eci.gov.in.

Slip: The Voter Information Slip (VIS) issued by the BLO will help in speeding up the process at the booth. (Note:This cannot be used as an identity document.)

2. Identity Documents

If you do not have a Voter ID Card, you can produce any of the following 12 documents approved by the Central Election Commission:

Aadhaar Card / PAN Card / Passport.

Driving License.

Bank/Post Office Photo Passbook.

MGNREGA Job Card.

Ayushman Bharat Health Card.

Pension Documents (with Photo).

Government Employee ID Card.

UDID Card for Persons with Disabilities.

3. Procedures at the polling booth

The procedures to be followed upon reaching the booth:

First Polling Officer: Your name and serial number will be verified.

Second Polling Officer: Your left-hand finger will be inked, and your signature/fingerprint will be recorded in the voter register. You will then be given a voter slip.

Third Polling Officer: After checking the ink on your finger, the voting machine will be set up (the ballot button will be pressed).

4. Method of Voting (EVM & VVPAT)

Vote: Press the blue button opposite the name of the candidate of your choice. You will immediately hear a beep. After pressing the button, you will see the name and symbol of the candidate you voted for appear through the glass in the VVPAT box next to the voting machine. This slip will be visible for 7 seconds.

5. Facilities at the booth

Senior citizens and differently-abled persons will be provided with ramp facilities and assistance from volunteers to vote without having to stand in queues. The use of mobile phones is strictly prohibited inside the polling booth.