NEW DELHI:
To avoid confusion in the minds of the electorate in constituencies where namesakes are contesting, the Election Commission has decided that ballot papers will also carry pictures of the contestants besides their names and party symbols.
An EC direction to all Chief Electoral Officers of states and UTs said that for elections to be held from May 1, 2015 onwards, the ballot papers, postal ballot papers and ballot papers to be displayed on EVMs will also carry the photographs of the candidates.
“The Commission has noted that there are many cases where candidates with same or similar names contest from the same constituency.
“Although appropriate suffixes are added to the names of candidates in the event or two or more candidates having same name, the Commission considers that additional measures are required for removing confusion in the minds of electors at the time of voting,” the EC direction said.
The EC pointed out that a writ petition on the subject is pending in the Supreme Court.
To allow CEOs add photographs to ballot papers, the EC has modified its existing directions issued under the Conduct of Election Rules.
The photograph will appear between the name of the candidate and his or her election symbol. (AGENCIES)
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