model check list for returning officers and assistant returning officers

12.3 Establishing Control Room –
It should be well informed and well equipped.
12.4 Meeting with constituency level Standing Committee (Para 5 of Ch. XI of RO Hand Book)
Representatives of political parties, contesting candidates and local police officers be
associated - Briefing about arrangements, model code of conduct, cooperation for law
and order etc., - Minutes to be drawn.
12.5 Observers (Sec. 20B of RP Act 1951; Para 12 of Ch. 1 of RO Hand Book) -
1. Due courtesies and facilities to be given
2. General Observer and Expenditure Observer
12.6 Duties of Observers -
1. To observe the preparedness for conducting elections
2. They will observe all aspects for a fair, free and peaceful election
3. They will inspect at random electoral rolls - Polling material and arrangements of
polling booths also to be observed - Random checking of EVMs also.
4. Security arrangements and force deployment plan - Observers to be consulted.
5. Expenditure incurred by candidates to be inspected
6. Directions of ECI regarding model code of conduct - Compliance to be observed
7. Randomization of polling personnel, counting personnel in the presence of Observer.
12.7 Powers of Observers -
1. To stop counting of votes before declaration of results or direction to RO not to
declare result
2. Place of stay, phone number and dates of visit are to be publicised
3. Polling personnel, counting personnel and Micro Observers are to be selected
randomly in presence of Observer.
4. Preparation of EVMs for poll - Presence of Observer is must.
5. Dispatch arrangements, movement plan of prepared EVMs to dispersal centers,
movement plan for polled EVMs to collection centers, Security arrangements at
counting centers/strong rooms to be intimated to Observers.
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