Role of CPMF and State Police in conduct of polls

Flag March By CPMF

As Per ELECTION COMMISSION OF INDIA L/No.No. 464/UP-LA/2007 Dated Date: 25.10.2007

Role of CPMF and State Police in conduct of polls

Wherever the CPMF arrives in advance for area domination, it shall take out flag marches, point patrolling and other confidence building activities. On the poll-eve (day prior to the poll) the CPMF shall take position in and control of the respective polling stations. On the day of the poll, the CPMFs shall be primarily responsible for protecting the polling stations and regulating the entry inside the polling stations. One jawan of the CPMF party shall be deployed at the door of the polling station (either in static or oscillating mode) in order to observe the proceedings that are going on inside the polling station, as per the directions of Hon’ble Supreme Court. Besides, the Coy. Commanders of CPMFs will also move in their respective polling station areas as an area domination force and confidence building measure in the catchment area of polling stations. In case CPMF has not reached the assigned polling station due to any reason, the poll shall not commence.

The Local State Police shall remain responsible for maintenance of the general law and order in the catchment area of the polling stations, as well as the inside and outside of the polling premises (as different from polling stations). Whenever, the Local State Police gets deployed inside the polling premises, they shall station themselves at a reasonable distance from the polling station and the queue of electors. It is advised that one or two unarmed Local State Police persons/Home Guards be posted at each polling premises so that in case required, reinforcement could be called for. In any case, Local State Police shall not replace the CPMF at the polling stations and no senior officer of the local state police, with or without contingent shall position himself at the polling station and exercise any supervision and control over the CPMF at the polling station. The Local State Police, however, in exceptional circumstances can get deployed at polling stations, only if enough CPMF is not available, and that too under specific instructions of the Commission through its observer.

A Voter after Casting Her Vote

Responsibility of maintenance of law and order shall rest solely with the local State Police. The Commission has instructed that hamlets/habitations within a polling station area that are vulnerable to threat, intimidation and undue influence shall be identified and all necessary confidence building and preventive measures shall be taken in advance. The Local State Police shall attach utmost importance to this task and shall also ensure that there is no hindrance to voters of such pockets in exercising their franchise on the day of poll.

After the poll is completed, the polled EVMs and the Presiding Officers shall be escorted by a contingent of CPMF to the Reception Center. Details in this regard shall be worked out by the DEO and SP in consultation with Observer in advance.