The Election Commission of India on Sunday, March 22, 2026, said it will provide assured minimum facilities and voter assistance at all 218,807 polling stations during the 2026 general elections and related by-elections, and has directed Chief Electoral Officers of states and Union Territories to have arrangements in place well before poll day to ensure smooth voting.
The poll schedule for legislative assemblies in Assam, Kerala, Tamil Nadu, West Bengal and the Union Territory of Puducherry was announced on March 15, 2026, alongside by-elections in six states, the Commission noted.
Polling stations will be equipped with drinking water, shaded waiting areas, toilets with water facilities, adequate lighting, ramps with appropriate gradients for persons with disabilities, standard voting compartments and clear signage. Benches will be placed at regular intervals in queues so voters can sit while waiting.
To boost voter awareness and assistance, four uniform, standardised Voter Facilitation Posters-showing polling station details, candidate lists, do’s and don’ts, approved identity documents and voting procedure-will be prominently displayed at polling locations.
Voter Assistance Booths will be set up at every polling station, staffed by Booth Level Officers and other officials to help electors find their polling booth number and serial number in the electoral roll. Mobile phone deposit facilities will also be arranged outside polling stations, allowing voters to hand over switched-off phones to designated volunteers before entering and collect them after voting.
The Commission said these minimum facilities and accessibility measures are mandatory and will be closely monitored for strict compliance to ensure a seamless and pleasant voting experience for all electors.
Original Source: https://www.guwahatiplus.com/india/voter-friendly-arrangements-mandatory-at-all-polling-stations-says-eci
Category: India
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Publish Date: 2026-03-22 15:11:00
