Section 31 in Tamil Nadu Farmers' Management of Irrigation Systems Election Rules, 2003
31. Voting procedure.
(1)The Collector shall arrange to see that the election is conducted fairly and peacefully and to that end keep order at the polling station to regulate the number of electors to be admitted at a time and shall exclude all persons other than-(a)the candidate;(b)the police and other public servants on duty;(c)such persons as the Collector may, from time to time, admit for the purpose of identifying electors;(d)persons authorised by the Government;(e)a child in arms or a child accompanying an elector; and(f)a person accompanying a blind (or) infirm elector who cannot move without help.(2)Where a woman elector cannot be identified by reason of her observing purdah, she may be required to be identified by any of her near relatives unless she otherwise proves her identity.Explanation. - If a question arises as to whether a person is or is not a near relative within the meaning of this sub-rule, it shall be decided by the Presiding Officer and his decision shall be final.(3)Every elector to whom a ballot paper has been issued shall maintain secrecy of voting within the polling station and for that purpose observe the voting procedure hereafter laid down.(4)The elector, on receiving the ballot paper or papers, as the case may be, shall forthwith-(a)proceed to one of the voting compartments;(b)mark on the ballot paper or papers with the instrument supplied for the purpose, on or near the symbol allotted to the candidate for whom he intends to vote;(c)fold the ballot paper or papers vertically first and thereafter horizontally so as to conceal his vote;(d)insert the folded ballot paper into the specified ballot box; and(e)leave the polling station by the exit provided.(5)Every elector shall vote without undue delay.(6)No elector shall be allowed to enter a voting compartment when another elector is inside it.
