Section 17(1) in The M.P. Nagarpalika Nirvachan Niyam, 1994
(1)The Returning Officer shall with the prior approval of the District Election Officer appoint a Presiding Officer for each polling station and such Polling Officer or Officers to assist the Presiding Officer, as he deems necessary :Provided that no person who is not in the employment of the State Government or a local authority or any public undertaking of the State Government, shall be appointed as Presiding Officer:Provided further that if a Polling Officer is absent from the polling station, the Presiding Officer may appoint any person who is present at the polling station, other than a person who has been employed by or on behalf of, or has been otherwise working for, a candidate in or about the election, to he the Polling Officer during the absence of the former officer, and inform the Returning Officer accordingly.
