The Election Commission of India (ECI) has introduced new measures to enhance voter convenience and streamline election day procedures. Voters will now have access to a mobile deposit facility located just outside polling stations, allowing them to securely store their switched-off mobile phones before entering. While mobile phones are prohibited within 100 meters of a polling station, exceptions may be granted by the Returning Officer based on local conditions. Simultaneously, the ECI has rationalized canvassing regulations, permitting booths for unofficial voter information slips to be set up just beyond a 100-meter radius of any polling station. These initiatives are designed to improve voter experience and uphold the integrity of the electoral process, as per the Representation of the People Act, 1951 and the Conduct of Elections Rules, 1961.
Key Entities Referenced
Election Commission: Organization responsible for elections; also referred to as ECI and Election Commission of India.
ECI: Abbreviation for Election Commission.
Mobile Deposit Facility: A service provided for voters at polling stations to deposit their mobile phones.
Canvassing: Activities related to soliciting votes or support for a candidate or party.
PIB Delhi: Press Information Bureau, Delhi - source of the posted information.
Representation of the People Act, 1951: A law related to elections in India.
Conduct of Elections Rules, 1961: Rules governing the conduct of elections.
senior citizens: A demographic group mentioned in the context of challenges faced during elections.
women: A demographic group mentioned in the context of challenges faced during elections.
PwD electors: Electors with disabilities.
Polling Stations: Locations where voting takes place.
Returning Officer: Official responsible for conducting elections in a specific constituency.
Rule 49M of the Conduct of Elections Rules, 1961: Rule ensuring secrecy of voting.
Voter Information Slips VIS: Official documents issued by the Election Commission to electors.
Election Commission of India: The full name of the Election Commission.
Shri Gyanesh Kumar: Chief Election Commissioner.
Dr. Sukhbir Singh Sandhu: Election Commissioner.
Dr. Vivek Joshi: Election Commissioner.
Election Commission
ECI to provide Mobile Deposit Facility for voters at
polling stations
Rationalises norms for Canvassing
Posted On: 23 MAY 2025 6:05PM by PIB Delhi
In line with various initiatives aimed at enhancing voter convenience and streamlining poll day
arrangements, the Election Commission has issued two more comprehensive instructions for
providing mobile deposit facility for voters just outside the polling stations and rationalising norms
for canvassing. The instructions are in line with the relevant provisions of the Representation of the
People Act, 1951 and the Conduct of Elections Rules, 1961.
Recognising the increasing coverage and usage of mobile phones in both urban and rural areas
and the challenges faced not only by the voters at large but also by senior citizens, women, and
PwD electors in managing mobile phones on the poll day, the Commission has decided to allow a
mobile deposit facility just outside the polling stations. Only mobile phones shall be allowed within
100 meters of the polling station and that too in switched-off mode. Very simple pigeonhole boxes
or jute bags shall be provided near the entrance door of the polling station where the voters would
be required to deposit their mobile phones. Mobile phones shall not be allowed to be carried inside
the polling station by the voter. However, certain Polling Stations can be exempted from this
provision based on adverse local circumstances by the Returning Officer. Rule 49M of the Conduct
of Elections Rules, 1961, which ensures secrecy of voting within the polling station, will continue to
be strictly enforced.
Further, in a move aimed at improving election day facilitation, the Commission has rationalised the
permissible norms for canvassing in line with the electoral laws to 100 meters from the entrance of
the polling station. However, electioneering shall not be allowed within a 100-meter radius around
the Polling Station on the day of poll. Therefore, the booths set up by the candidates on poll day for
issuing unofficial identity slips to electors, in case the electors are not carrying their official Voter
Information Slips (VIS) issued by the Commission, can now be set up just beyond 100 meters of
any polling station.
The Election Commission of India, under the Chairmanship of Chief Election Commissioner Shri
Gyanesh Kumar along with Election Commissioners Dr. Sukhbir Singh Sandhu and Dr. Vivek Joshi,
remains committed to conducting elections strictly in accordance with the legal framework, while
continuously innovating to improve the facilities for the voters.
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PK/GDH/RP
(Release ID: 2130795)