General Elections and bye-elections 2026: Assured Minimum Facilities and Voter Assistance to be provided at All Polling Stations

**Executive Summary** The Election Commission of India (ECI) has issued directives to ensure Assured Minimum Facilities (AMFs) and voter assistance at 2,18,807 polling stations for the 2026 General Elections and bye-elections. Following the election schedule announcement on March 15, 2026, the ECI has mandated specific infrastructure and support services to ensure a seamless voting experience. Field functionaries are required to complete all necessary works well before the poll dates to meet strict compliance standards. **Key Points / Main Content** **Mandatory Polling Station Facilities** * **Infrastructure:** Each polling station must provide drinking water, shaded waiting areas, toilets with water facilities, and adequate lighting. * **Accessibility:** Ramps with proper gradients must be provided for PwD electors, along with proper signage throughout the premises. * **Queue Management:** Benches must be placed at regular intervals in queues to allow electors to sit while waiting. * **Voting Privacy:** Every station must be equipped with a standard voting compartment. **Voter Information and Assistance** * **Facilitation Posters:** Four standardized Voter Facilitation Posters (VFP) must be prominently displayed, covering station details, candidate lists, do’s and don’ts, approved ID documents, and the voting process. * **Voter Assistance Booths (VABs):** Every location will feature a VAB staffed by Booth Level Officers (BLOs) to help electors locate their booth and serial numbers in the electoral roll. * **Mobile Phone Management:** A designated facility will be provided outside the entrance for voters to deposit switched-off mobile phones with volunteers before entering. **Compliance and Execution** * **Monitoring:** The provisioning of AMFs is mandatory and subject to strict compliance monitoring. * **Timeline:** Field functionaries are directed to finish all preparation and infrastructure works well in advance of the scheduled poll dates. **Impact Analysis** **Chief Electoral Officers (CEOs) and Field Functionaries** **Impact:** These officials are responsible for the logistical execution and monitoring of facilities across 2,18,807 polling stations. **Action Required:** They must ensure the installation of all mandated AMFs and oversee the completion of works before the poll dates. **Booth Level Officers (BLOs) and Officials** **Impact:** Staff are required to man assistance booths and manage voter queries on-site. **Action Required:** Assist electors in locating booth numbers and serial numbers and manage the mobile phone deposit facility. **Electors (Voters)** **Impact:** Voters benefit from improved physical comfort, clearer information, and assistance services on poll day. **Action Required:** Electors must switch off mobile phones before handing them over to designated volunteers at the station entrance.

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