‘Mr Ballot Box’ takes front-row plane seat

NEW DELHI: Ballot boxes meant for use in Presidential polls ‘travel’ to all states and Union territories having legislative a ssemblies on a separate air ticket, ‘seated’ in the front row of a ircraft next to the official transporting the poll materials from the Election Commission of India’s headquarters here to the states/UTs. In fact, the seat —a premium ‘J’ class on e to accomodate the sheer size of the box — is booked in the name of ‘Mr Ballot Box’.
On Tuesday, the EC started the countdown to July 18 polling for the Presidential election, with the distribution and dispatch of ballot boxes, ballot papers, special pens, and other sealed election materials to the state legislative assembly secretariats, including in Delhi and Puducherry.
Speakingto the assistant returning officer s (AROs) who were at the ECI headquarters to collect the election materials, chief election commissioner Rajiv Kumar asked them to ensure strict adherence to protocols and guidelines for transportation and storage of ballot boxes, ballot papers and other materials. After reaching the state capitals, the ballot boxes are stored in previously sanitised and properly sealed strong rooms under strict videography monitoring.