Section 24 in U.P. Zila Panchayats (Election of Adhyaksha and UP-Adhyaksha and Settlement of Election Disputes) Rules, 1994
24. Manner of recording voting.
(1)Every member shall have as many preferences as there are candidates but no ballot paper shall be considered invalid solely on the ground that all such preferences are not marked.(2)A member in giving his vote-(a)shall mark on his ballot paper the number 1 in the space opposite the name of the candidate whom he chooses for his first preference ; and(b)may in addition, make as many subsequent preferences as he wishes by marking on his ballot paper the numbers 2, 3, 4 and so on in the space opposite the names of the candidates in order of his preference.(3)The Returning Officer shall, if requested by a member explain to him the instructions contained on the ballot paper for recording of votes.(4)For marking his preference a member shall enter a polling compartment provided at the place of polling and screened from observation.(5)After the preference have been marked the member shall fold the ballot paper and put it into the ballot box through the slit provided for the purpose.(6)If a member is unable to read the ballot paper or to record his vote thereon by reason of illiteracy, blindness or other infirmity the Returning Officer shall, on being satisfied about such illiteracy, blindness or infirmity permit the elector to take with him a companion of not less than 21 years of age who is able to read the ballot paper and record the vote thereon on behalf of, and in accordance with, the wishes of the member and if necessary to fold the ballot paper so as to conceal the vote and insert it into the ballot box :Provided that no person shall be permitted to act as companion of more than one member at the polling on the same day :Provided further that before any person is permitted to act as the companion of any member under this rule he shall be required to declare that he will keep secret the vote recorded by him on behalf of the member and that he has not already acted as the companion of any other member at the polling on that day.The Returning Officer shall keep a record in Form 7-A of all the cases under this sub-rule.Counting
