Election staff must follow polling duties with full awareness: GHMC Commissioner

Hyderabad: GHMC Commissioner and District Election Officer RV Karnan urged presiding officers (POs), assistant presiding officers (APOs), and OPOs to carry out polling duties with complete awareness and neutrality to ensure a smooth, transparent voting process.

He addressed over 2,300 officers on Saturday during the first phase of bypoll training for the Jubilee Hills Assembly constituency, held at Banjara Bhavan, Banjara Hills.

Alongside GHMC Additional Commissioner Hemanth Keshav Patil, Karnan delivered a PowerPoint presentation that explained the roles and responsibilities of polling officials. He stressed the importance of reading the Election Commission handbook and following every rule without fail.

Karnan listed the essential do’s and don’ts for election day, covering both indoor and outdoor polling station activity. He instructed each official to prepare a pre-poll checklist. This includes carrying necessary materials, managing EVMs, checking marked voter lists, and displaying required information at polling centers.

He also told officers to fully understand mock poll procedures, VVPAT and EVM setup, and the use of PO/APO diaries. He urged them to resolve any doubts during training and to immediately report problems to higher officials on polling day.

Master trainers led technical sessions on EVM handling and mock polling. Training coordinators Sunanda and Mamatha supervised the programme.