Section 47 in The Telangana Panchayat Raj (Conduct of Elections) Rules, 2018
47. Maintenance of secrecy of voting by electors and voting procedure.
(1)Every elector to whom a ballot paper has been issued under Rule 46 or any other provisions of these rules shall maintain secrecy of voting within the polling station and for that purpose observe the voting procedure hereinafter laid down.(2)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)make a mark on the ballot paper or papers with the instrument supplied for the purpose on or near the symbol / symbols allotted to the candidate / candidates for whom he intends to vote,(c)fold the ballot paper / papers vertically first and thereafter horizontally so as to conceal his vote,(d)if required, show to the Presiding Officer the distinguishing mark on the ballot paper or papers,(e)insert the folded ballot paper into the specified ballot box, and(f)leave the polling station by the exit provided.(3)Every elector shall vote without undue delay.(4)No elector shall be allowed to enter a voting compartment when another elector is inside it.(5)If an elector to whom a ballot paper has been issued refuses, after warning given by the Presiding Officer to observe the procedure laid down in sub-rules (1) and (2), the ballot paper issued to him shall, whether he has recorded his vote thereon or not, be taken back from him by the Presiding Officer or a polling officer, under the direction of the Presiding Officer.(6)After the ballot paper has been taken back, the Presiding Officer shall record on its back the word "Cancelled: voting procedure violated" and put his signature below these words and all such ballot papers shall be kept in a separate cover which shall bear on its face the words "Ballot Papers - voting procedure violated".(7)Without prejudice to any other penalty to which an elector, from whom a ballot paper has been taken back under sub-rule (5) may be liable, the vote, if any recorded on such ballot paper shall not be counted.
