handbook for presiding officers - Chief Electoral Officer, Govt. of Sikkim

22CHAPTER XXXIII
PREPARATION OF THE DIARY AND DELIVERY OF VOTING
MACHINES AND ELECTION PAPERS AT COLLECTION CENTRES
1. Preparation of the diary
1.1 You should record the proceedings connected with the taking of the poll in the
polling station in the diary to be maintained for the purpose. The proforma of
diary is reproduced at Annexure XIV. However you will be furnished with a
duly serially numbered proforma of the diary and that proforma alone should
be used by you.
1.2 You must go on recording the relevant events as and when they occur. You
should mention all important events therein. You should be careful while
recording the events in the diary. If any incident takes place at the polling
station, which is not reported by you, but is reported by any other source, the
Election Commission shall certainly take necessary action in the matter. This
will create a very embarrassing and serious situation for you. The Election
Commission may even contemplate taking disciplinary action against you.
1.3 Keep on making necessary entries in the relevant columns of the diary at
regular intervals or from time to time as envisaged. It has been observed in
many cases that the Presiding Officers do not make the entries in the relevant
columns of the diary at regular intervals or from time to time as envisaged,
and fill in all entries and complete the diary at the end of the poll. This is highly
objectionable. It should be noted that any lapse on your part in the proper
maintenance of diary at all points of time during the process of poll will be very
seriously viewed by the Commission.
2. Transmission of Voting machine and election papers to the Returning
Officer
2.1 After the voting machine and all election papers have been sealed and
secured by you after the close of poll in the manner explained in Chapters
XXXI and XXXIII, you have to deliver them or cause them to be delivered at
such place (collection centres) as the Returning Officer may direct and in
accordance with such arrangements as the Returning Officer may make.
2.2 The voting machine and the election papers should be delivered or caused to
be delivered at the collection centre with Zero delay. Any delay in this behalf
will be viewed by the Commission with utmost concern and will invite severe
disciplinary action against all concerned.
3. You will hand over to the Official-in-charge of the collection centre the
following twelve items of election records and materials and obtain a receipt:-
(i)
(ii)
(iii)
(iv)
the control unit and ballot unit(s) of the voting machine duly sealed in
their respective carrying cases;
the cover containing the account of votes recorded and paper seal
account (Form 17C);
the cover containing the declarations of the Presiding Officer;
the cover containing the Presiding Officer's diary;