ECI to provide mobile phone deposit facility outside polling stations; rationalises canvassing norms
The Election Commission of India announced on 23 May 2025 that voters will deposit mobile phones just outside polling stations and that candidates' booths can be set up just beyond 100 metres of a polling station.
Summary
The Election Commission of India (ECI) issued two instructions on 23 May 2025 to improve voter convenience. A mobile deposit facility — simple pigeonhole boxes or jute bags — will be provided near the entrance of polling stations, where voters must deposit their phones; phones are allowed within 100 metres of the polling station only in switched-off mode and cannot be carried inside. The Returning Officer can exempt certain polling stations based on adverse local circumstances, and Rule 49M of the Conduct of Elections Rules, 1961, on secrecy of voting, continues to be strictly enforced. The ECI also rationalised canvassing norms: candidates' booths for issuing unofficial identity slips can now be set up just beyond 100 metres of a polling station.
Key facts
- Announced
- 23 May 2025
- Mobile phones
- Allowed within 100 m only switched off; deposited at entrance; not inside
- Exemption
- Returning Officer, based on adverse local circumstances
- Rule 49M
- Conduct of Elections Rules, 1961 — secrecy of voting
- Candidates' booths
- Can be set up just beyond 100 m of a polling station
- Legal basis
- RP Act, 1951 and Conduct of Elections Rules, 1961
Practice MCQs 3 questions
Rule 49M of the Conduct of Elections Rules, 1961, mentioned in ECI's May 2025 instructions on mobile deposit facility, relates to:
Show answer
Correct answer: D — Secrecy of voting within the polling station
ECI said Rule 49M, which ensures secrecy of voting within the polling station, will continue to be strictly enforced.
Consider the following statements about ECI's instructions of 23 May 2025: 1. Voters may carry mobile phones inside the polling station if the phones are switched off. 2. Booths set up by candidates for issuing unofficial identity slips can now be set up just beyond 100 metres of a polling station. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
Show answer
Correct answer: B — 2 only
Statement 1 is wrong: phones are allowed within 100 m only switched off and must be deposited; they cannot be carried inside. Statement 2 is correct.
Under ECI's May 2025 mobile deposit instructions, who can exempt certain polling stations from the provision based on adverse local circumstances?
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Correct answer: C — Returning Officer
The Returning Officer can exempt certain polling stations based on adverse local circumstances.