Election Duty Allowance - Rate of Remuneration to the Officials Deployed on Election Duty

Election Duty Allowance - Rate of Remuneration to the Officials Deployed on Election Duty

ELECTION MATTER/MOST URGENT

OFFICE OF THE CHIEF ELECTORAL OFFICER, DELHI

F. No.: CEO/B&A/109(48)/200828435-89

Dated: 02.04.2019

ORDER

With the concurrence of the Finance Department, GNCTD, to the rates approved by the Election Commission of India, vide U.O. No. DSF-V /296 dated 25-03-2019 and DSF-V/343 dated 29-03-2019, the rates of remuneration to be paid to the staff deployed on Election Duty for the General Election to LokSabha-2019 are as under :-

Sl. No.	Designation of Officers /Officials	Minimum Rate of remuneration
1	Sector Officer	Rs. 5000/- lumpsum
2	Master Trainer	Rs. 2000/- lumpsum
3	Presiding Officer/ Counting Supervisor / Reception Supervisor	350/- per day or part thereof
4	Polling Officers/Counting Asstt. / Reception Assistant	250/- per day or part thereof
5	Class-IV	150/- per day or part thereof
6	Packed Lunch and/or Light Refreshment	150/- per day or part thereof
7	Video Surveillance.  Team, Video Viewing Team Accounting Team, Expenditure Monitoring Control Room and cell Centre Staffs, Media Certificate and Monitoring Committee, Flying Squads, Static Surveillance Team, Expenditure Monitoring Cell	Class-I/II (Rs. 1200/- lumpsum) Class-III (Rs. 1000/- lumpsum) Class-IV (Rs. 200/- lumpsum)
8	Micro Observer	Rs. 1000/- lumpsum
9	Assistant Expenditure Observer	Rs 7500/-lumpsum for full time duty and for partial duration on pro-rata basis.

The above mentioned rates are equally applicable to police personnel actually deployed on polling booths/counting centres.

The above rates are payable to the staff for attending class, collecting polling material as well as attending duty on the polling day/counting day.

The letter of the Commission communicated vide this office letter No. F.CEO/Admn/104(2)/2013/Cir/16980-94 dated 20-03-2014 inter-alia direct that keeping in view the long hours of duty, the day next to the day of polling is also to be treated as period on Election duty. Accordingly, polling staff shall be paid for maximum 4 days for training collecting polling materials ete. And 2 days for polling day, subject to the condition that such number of training are actually attended and record.

Reserve staff shall be paid 4 days for training and only 1 day for polling day.

Reception duty staff may be paid remuneration for 2 days i.e. 1 day for training and 1 day for attending the duty on reception counter on polling day.

Voter assistance booth staff may be paid remuneration equal to Polling officers i.e. Rs.250/-per day for 2 days i.e. 1 day for training and 1 day for attending the duty on polling day.

Counting duty staff (including statistical staff) may be paid remuneration for 2 days i.e. 1 day for training and 1 day for attending the duty on counting day.

MTS / Class-IV /Volunteers deployed for assisting voters with disabilities will be paid remuneration @ Rs. 150/-per day for 2 days i.e. one day for training and 1 day for attending the duty on polling day.

If same Micro-Observer is deployed for polling day as well as on counting day, it will be treated as separate duty and remuneration will be paid accordingly.

The staff deployed on polling stations/counting centers may be provide with packed lunch and/or light refreshment @ Rs. 150/- per head per day. In case of difficulty in respect of providing packed lunch, a cash payment @ Rs. 150/-per head may be paid to poll/counting staff. Further, police Personnel deployed on election work on poll/counting day including mobile parties/Home Guards/Forest Guards/Gram Rakshak Dal/NCC Sr. Cadets/Ex-army/Central Police Force may be provide with packed lunch/refreshment or payment in lieu thereof as is being given to Polling/Counting Personnels. No refreshment charge should be paid to the reserve parties for polling day as they can be spared immediately, if they are not needed on that day.

All the Assistant Expenditure Observes and Executive Magistrates (Team In-chage) of Flying Squad Deployed are to be reimbursed Rs.500/- (Rupees Five Hundred only) as a fixed amount on account of Mobile Recharge for whole election process.

The above rates may be strictly adhered to and all personnel on election duty be well apprised of these rates during training etc.

All the DEOs/Ros are requested to ensure that the officers/staff deployed on Election Duty for the General Election to Lok Sabha-2019 are paid accordingly and following conditions are to be followed.

a) All codal formalities be observed.
b) All ECI and FDs guidelines be followed.
c) No duplicate payment is to be made
d) The responsibility rests with the CEO Office and DEOs concerned with regard to payment of each paisa in the right perspective.

The actual expenditure booked on this account may be intimated to Audit Officer, CEO (HQ) as the same is to be conveyed to Finance Department, as per the approval.

(SATENDRA KUMAR)
ELECTION OFFICER (ADMN.)

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General Elections/Bye-elections - Guidelines for the conduct of Government servants

General Elections/Bye-elections - Guidelines for the conduct of Government servants

GUIDELINES FOR GOVT. PERSONNEL REGARDING CONDUCT OF ELECTIONS

Guidelines for the Conducts of Govt. Servants (dt. 06.11.1984).

Election Commission's Letter No. 62/84, dated 6th November, 1984 to Chief Secretaries to State/Union Territories, all Chief Electoral Officers and Ministries of Home Affairs and Law and Justice.

Subject:- General Elections/Bye-elections - Guidelines for the conduct of Government servants.
I am directed to invite your attention to sections 129 and 134 of the Representation of the People Act, 1951, relating to the conduct of Government servants during elections and to say that the Government of India as well as the State Government have been, before conduct of a general election, issuing instructions regarding the conduct of Government servants in relations to an election, stressing that all the Government employees should maintain an attitude of strict impartiality.

2. The Government employees should not only be impartial but should also appear to be so in relation to the elections. They are required to conduct themselves in such a manner as to inspire confidence in the public in regard to their impartiality so that there might not be any occasion for the people to think that the elections would not be held in a free, fair and pure atmosphere. It should be stressed that they should avoid giving room for any suspicion that they are favoring any party or any candidate. They are not expected to take part in any election campaign or canvassing and should take scrupulous care not to lend their names, official position or authority to assist one individual as against another or one group as against another.

3. With particular reference to the tours that the Ministers might undertake on the eve of the elections, it is necessary that while Government Officers should make all the usual arrangements to enable the Ministers to carry out their responsibilities as Ministers, the Government Officers should not themselves organise any election meetings or be present in person during any such meetings except those who may have to be present to the extent necessary for maintaining law and order and making necessary security arrangements.

The question as to whether a public meeting addressed by a Minister is officially sponsored or is held for election propaganda has to be decided by the Minister himself. In the meeting, the arrangement for organising it is to be made on the Minister's behalf unofficially and the expenditure in that connection is to be borne by him or his party.

It is further made clear that a public meeting held on the eve of an election is normally to be considered to be an election meeting and the expenses thereof are not to be borne from public funds. The preservation of law and order at every meeting will, however, be the responsibility of the Government officials responsible for law and order.

4. In this connection I am also to enclose a copy of the Ministry of Home Affairs’ O.M. No. 25/44/49-Ests, dated 10th October 1949, which clarifies the position regarding the participation of Government servants in political activities vis-a-vis the attendance by Government servants at political meetings, for your information. The contents of the said O.M. may also be brought to the notice of all Government servants for their guidance.

5. In the matter of election meetings in a public place, the Government officers should not make any distinction between one political party and another in granting permission to hold such meetings. If more parties than one apply for holding a meeting at any place on the same day and at the same hour, the party which applies first should be given preference.

6. Further your attention is specially invited to the provisions of section 134-A of the Representation of the People Act, 1951, which reads as follows :-
"134-A Penalty for Government Servants for acting as Election Agent, Polling Agent or Counting Agent :
If any person in the service of the Government acts as an election agent or a polling agent or a counting agent of a candidate at an election he shall be punishable with imprisonment for a term which may extend to three months with fine, or with both."

7. In this connection, I am also to forward herewith an extract of rule 5 of the Central Civil Service (Conduct) Rule, 1964, which inter alia prohibits the Government servants from taking part in politics and elections. It is presumed that similar provisions exist in the rules governing the conduct of Government servants of your State.

8. I am, therefore, to request that necessary instructions in the above regard may kindly be issued by the State Governments emphasising upon the Government servants that any disregard of instructions would be considered by the Government as a serious act of indiscipline and that in cases of doubt a Government servant should not hesitate to consult his superior officer.

9. A copy of the instructions issued by the State Government may be forwarded for the Commission's record.

The receipt of this letter may please be acknowledged.
[The Commission's letter No. 62/79, dated the 13th November 1979 is hereby superseded.]

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Election Holidays – Grant of Paid Holiday to Central Government Employees on the day of Poll – Orders Issued by Election Commission

Election Holidays – Grant of Paid Holiday to CG Employees on the day of Poll – Orders Issued by Election Commission

Election Commission has issued orders on General Election to the State Legislative Assembly of NCT of Delhi 2015, grant of paid holiday to employees on the day of poll under section 135B of Representation of the People Act 1951. The order is reproduced and given below for your ready reference…

ELECTION COMMISSION OF INDIA

No.78/2015/EPS

Dated: 20th January, 2015

To
1. The Chief Secretary to the Government of NCT of Delhi,Delhi.
2. The Chief Electoral Officer,Delhi.
3. The Secretary to the Govt, of India, M/o Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions, Department of Personnel and Training, North Block, New Delhi.

Subject:- General Election to the State Legislative Assembly of NCT of Delhi, 2015 – Grant of paid holiday to employees on the day of poll – Regarding.

Sir,
I am directed to invite your attention to Section 135B of the Representation of the People Act, 1951 which provides for the grant of paid holiday to the employees on the day of poll. The Section 135B is reproduced below:-

“135B. Grant of paid holiday to employees on the day of poll.

(1) Every person employed in any business trade, industrial undertaking or any other establishment and entitled to vote at election to the House of the People or the Legislative Assembly of a State shall, on the day of poll, be granted a holiday.

(2) No deduction or abatement of the wages of any such person shall be made on account of a holiday having been granted in accordance with sub-section (I) and if such person is employed on the basis that he would not ordinarily receive wages for such a day, he shall nonetheless be paid for such day the wages he would have drawn had not a holiday been granted to him on that day.

(3) If an employer contravenes the provisions of sub-section (1) or sub-section (2), then such employer shall be punishable with fine, which may extend to five hundred rupees.

(4) This section shall not apply to any elector whose absence may cause danger or substantial loss in respect of the employment in which he is engaged.”

2. The above provisions require that all the electors who are employees of establishments and shops including those who work on shift basis shall be granted a paid holiday on the day of poll in the Constituency where a general election is to be held. Further, there may be cases where a person is ordinarily resident of the Constituency and registered as an elector, may be serving/employed in an industrial undertaking or an establishment located outside the Constituency having a general election. It is clarified that in such a situation, even those electors including casual workers working outside the constituency concerned would be entitled to the benefit of a paid holiday extended under Section 135B(1) of the Representation of the People Act, 1951,

3. The daily wage/casual workers are also entitled for a holiday and wages on poll day as provided in Section 135B of the R.P. Act, 1951

4. The Commission desires that suitable instructions should be issued to all concerned and a copy thereof be endorsed to the Commission for its information and record.

5. The receipt of this letter may please be acknowledged.

Yours faithfully
sd/-
(Sumit Mukerjee)
Secretary

Download original order – Click here
Authority: www.eci.nic.in

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The Role of Government Employees In General Assembly Elections

Important role of Government employees play on the day of polling…

One of the reasons for this importance is the practice of selecting only the state and Central Government employees for election duties.One can say that it is impossible to hold elections without the assistance of state and Central Government employees. So crucial is their contribution.

They are involved in election duties for months, either directly or indirectly. The crowning moment of these efforts are during the polling day when thousands of government employees are appointed at all the polling booths, on an average of at least 3 per booth.

It might look like an easy task to handle in metropolitan cities and smaller towns. It is not easy to carry out these tasks in remote villages or mountainous polling booths that are almost isolated from the rest of the civilisation. More dangerous are the constituencies and areas that have been deemed sensitive and hypersensitive. In such areas, polling is held under tight security. From morning until evening, these officers have to sit at the polling stations with a heavy blanket of security. At the end of the polling, the voting machines are taken away under high security, but the officials who had manned the booth are left to fend for themselves and find their way back home.

According to the Government Order, if an employee deployed for poll duties fails to turn up on the polling day, then severe action would be taken against him/her.

In the past, a number of requests have been made to the Government to increase the honorarium paid to the employees on poll duties. Finally, it looks as if the Election Commission has heard the requests. According to information available, the Presiding Officer will be paid Rs. 1600, and the Polling Officer shall get an honorarium of Rs. 1150. The money shall be deposited directly in their bank accounts.

#Election Duties, #Election Duty, #Election Duty Allowance, #Honorarium for Election Duty, #Paid Holidays, #Indian Government News

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Election Commission Orders – Ex-gratia compensation to family of polling personnel who die or sustain injuries while on election duty

The Election Commission already published the orders on 25.4.2014 regarding the revised payment of ex-gratia compensation to family of polling personnel who die or sustain injuries while on election duty. For you information, we once again published the same…

ELECTION COMMISSION OF INDIA
NIRVACHAN SADAN, ASHOKA ROAD, NEW DELHI-110001

No.218/6/2014/EPS

Dated: 25th April, 2014

To
1. The Chief Secretaries of all States/1st
2. The Chief Electoral Officers of all States/UTs

Subject: Payment of ex-gratia compensation to family of polling personnel who die or sustain injuries while on election duty – regarding.

Reference: Commission’s Letters (i) No.2l8/6/2014/EPS dated 25.03.2014; (ii) No.218/6/2009/EPS
dated 17.02.2009; (iii) No.218/6/2006/EPS dated 05.11.2008; (iv) No. 218/6/2003 PLN-I
dated 06.02.2003; (v) No. 218/6/98/PLN-l dated 25.11.1998; & (vi) No. 218/6/96-PS-11 dated 08.10.1996

Sir/Madam,

The Commission vide its letter of even number dated 25.03.2014 has revised the earlier slabs (as envisaged vide its order dated 17.02.2009) for ex-gratia payment in the event of any mishap to the election related officials. The revised slabs are as follows:

I. An amount of Rs.10 lakhs as the minimum amount to be paid to the next of kin of the official in the unfortunate event of death of the official while on election duty.

II. If the death is unfortunately caused due to any violent acts of extremist or unsocial elements like, road mines, bomb blasts, armed attacks, etc. the amount of compensation would be Rs.20 lakhs.

III. In the case of permanent disability, like loss of limb, eye sight, etc., a minimum ex-gratia payment of Rs.5 lakhs would be given to the official (which would be doubled in the case of such mishaps being caused by extremist or unsocial elements as aforesaid).

2. Now it has been brought to the notice of the Commission that some of the States are not extending the payment of ex-gratia to personnel of the CAPFs.

3. In this connection, the MHA has also requested the Commission that the compensation amount as per Commission’s order dated 25.03.2014 should include all the CAPFs/SAPS and other security force personnel deployed for election duty. The Commission. has considered the matter and following clarifications are issued as under:

a) Payment of ex-gratia compensation to family of polling personnel who die or sustain injuries while on election duty will be applicable to all personnel deployed in all types of election related duties, all security personnel including (CAPFs, SAPS, State Police, Home Guards, etc.), any private persons like drivers, cleaners, etc., hired for deployment for election duty. (The category of persons has been defined vide Commission ’s letter No. 218/6/98/PLN-1 dated 25.11.1998 No. 218/6/2003 PLN-I dated 06.02.2003).

b) The applicable period of election duty would start from the date of the announcement of the elections.

c) It is clarified that it would be reasonable to consider a person on election duty as soon as he/she leaves his/her residence/officeio reportfor any eLeCtioni related duty including training and until he/she reaches back his/her residence/office after performance of his/her election related duty. If any mishap takes place duringithis period, it should be treated as having occurred on election duty subject to condition that there should be a causal connection between occurrence of death/injury and the election duty. (As explained in Commission ’5 letter No.218/6/2006/EPS dated 0511,2008)

d) Payment of ex-gratia compensation prescribed by the Commission vide its letter dated 25.03.2014 will also be applicable to the CAPFS/SAPS and other security forces personnel deployed for election duty and this will be in addition to the compensation already being paid by the MHA under extant guidelines issued by DOP & PW, MHA and State Governments.

e) The expenditure on account of payment of ex-gratia compensation to the polling personnel is wholly borne by Government of India during elections to Lok Sabha and by the State Government during elections to Legislative Assemblies and shared on a 50:50 basis during simultaneous elections to Lok Sabha and Legislative Assembly by the Government of India and concerned State Governments. The share of the Government of India is paid by the Ministry of Law, Justice & Company Affairs (Legislative Department). (As explained vide Commission ’s letter No. 218/6/96-PS-II dated 08.10.1996).

f) It may be further clarified that in case of Lok Sabha elections, the payment of ex-gratia compensation shall be made by the State Government initially and the claims shall be made to the Government of India later on.

g) The CEOs and DEOs shall track death/injury cases and send a consolidated report from time to time to the Commission.

Yours faithfully,
sd/-
(SUMIT MUKHERJEE)
SECRETARY

Source: eci.nic.in
[http://eci.nic.in/eci_main1/current/ImpIns2_25042014.pdf]

#Compensation to family, #Election Duty, #Election Duty Allowance, #Ex-Gratia, #Indian Government Employees news,

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Grant of paid holiday to employees on the day of poll – Election Commission Orders

Grant of paid holiday to employees on the day of poll – Election Commission Orders

Every person employed in any business trade, industrial undertaking or any other establishment and entitled to vote at election to the House of the People or the Legislative Assembly of a State shall, on the day of poll, be granted a holiday.

Grant of paid holiday to all employees including daily wage/casual workers on the day of poll under Section 135B is reproduced below…

ELECTION COMMISSION OF INDIA
NIRVACHAN SADAN, ASHOKA ROAD, NEW DELHI-110001.

No.78/2013/EPS

Dated: 24th October, 2013

To
1. The Chief Secretaries to the Government of: –
Chhattisgarh, Madhya Pradesh, Mizoram, Rajasthan,
Delhi, Gujarat and Tamil Nadu.

2. The Chief Electoral Officers of: –
Chhattisgarh, Madhya Pradesh, Mizoram. Rajasthan,
Delhi, Gujarat and Tamil Nadu.

3. The Secretary to the Govt. of India, M/o Personnel Public
Grievances & Pensions, Department of Personnel and
Training, North Block, New Delhi.

Subject:- General Election to the State Legislative Assemblies of Chhattisgarh, Madhya Pradesh, Mizoram, Rajasthan and Delhi and bye-elections to fill the casual vacancies in the State Legislative Assemblies of Gujarat and Tamil Nadu — Grant of paid holiday to employees on the day of poll — Regarding.

Sir,
I am directed to invite your attention to Section 135B of the Representation of the People Act. 1951 which provides for the grant of paid holiday to the employees on the day of poll. The Section 135B is reproduced below:

“135B. Grant of paid holiday to employees on the day of poll.

(i) Every person employed in any business trade, industrial undertaking or any other establishment and entitled to vote at election to the House of the People or the Legislative Assembly of a State shall, on the day of poll, be granted a holiday.

(ii) No deduction or abatement of the wages of any such person shall be made on account of a holiday having been granted in accordance with sub-section (I) and if such person is employed on the basis that he would not ordinarily receive wages for such a day, he shall nonetheless be paid for such day the wages he would have drawn had not a holiday been granted to him on that day.

(iii) If an employer contravenes the provisions of sub-section (1) or susedion (2), then such employer shall be punishable with fine, which may extend to five hundred rupees.

(iv) This section shall not apply to any elector whose absence may cause danger or substantial loss in respect of the employment in which he is engaged.”

2. The above provisions recuire that all establishments and shops including those which work on shift basis shall be closed on the day of poll in the Constituency where a General/bye-election is to be held. However, there may be cases where a person is ordinanly resident of the Constituency and registered as an elector, may be serving/employed in an industrial undertaking or an establishment located outside the Constituency having a general/bye-election. It is clarified that in such a situation, even those electors including casual workers working outside the constituency concerned would be entitled to the benefit of a paid holiday extended under Section 135B(1) of the Representation of the People Act. 1951.

3. The daily wage/casual workers are also entitled for a holiday and wages on poll day as provided in Section 135B of the R.P. Act, 1951.

4. The Commission desired that suitable instructions should be issued to all concerned and a copy there of be endorsed to the Commission for its information and record.

5. The receipt of this letter may please be acknowledged.

Yours faithfully,
sd/-
(Sumit Mukherjee)
Secretary

Source : www.eci.nic.in

#Election Duties, #Election Duty Allowance, #Election Holidays, #Legislative Assembly Election, #State Government Employees

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Public holiday on 15.10.2014 on account of General Assembly Elections in the State of Maharashtra

Public holiday on 15.10.2014 on account of General Assembly Elections in the State of Maharashtra

Public holiday under Negotiable Instruments Act, 1881 on Wednesday, 15th October 2014 on account of General Assembly Elections in the State of Maharashtra.

The General Administration Department of Maharashtra State Government has published orders regarding the declaration as a public holiday in the state, on the day of polling i.e. Wednesday, 15th October 2014 for the General Assembly Elections.

The Indian Bank Association has also declared as public holiday under Negotiable Instruments Act, 1881 on Wednesday, 15.10.2014 on account of General Assembly Elections in the State of Maharashtra. The public holiday may be applicable to all government offices, private organizations, all public and private sector banks and all educational institutions.

#Election Duties, #Election Duty Allowance, #Election Holidays, #Holidays, #List of Public Holidays, #Election Duty, # Indian Government News.

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Rs. 10 Lakh Compensation if Government Employee Dies During Election Duty

Rs. 10 Lakh Compensation if Government Employee Dies During Election Duty

The Tamil Nadu Election Commission’s Chief Commissioner, Praveen Kumar says that the Election Commission has announced a compensation of Rs. 10 lakhs for employees who die while on election duties.

Normally during state elections, more than 3 lakh state and Central Government employees, including teachers, local police personnel, police personnel from the neighboring states, paramilitary forces and private videographers, participate.

If death occurs in poll-related violence or if the employee dies of cardiac arrest while on election duty, his/her family was, until now, given a compensation of Rs. 5 lakhs. This has been increased to Rs. 10 lakhs from 2014 onwards. Under this scheme, personnel who had died on duty during the May elections will be paid a compensation of Rs. 10 lakhs, says Praveen Kumar.

If the death is unfortunately caused due to any violent acts of extremist or unsocial elements like, road mines, bomb blasts, armed attacks, etc., the amount of compensation would be Rs.20 lakhs. In the case of permanent disability, like loss of limb, eye sight, etc., a minimum ex-gratia payment of Rs.5 lacs would be given to the official (which would be doubled in the case of such mishaps being caused by extremist or unsocial elements as aforesaid).

Source: 7thpaycommissionnews.in

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Public holiday on 15.10.2014 on account of General Assembly Elections in the State of Maharashtra

Public holiday on 15.10.2014 on account of General Assembly Elections in the State of Maharashtra

Public holiday under Negotiable Instruments Act, 1881 on Wednesday, 15th October 2014 on account of General Assembly Elections in the State of Maharashtra.

The General Administration Department of Maharashtra State Government has published orders regarding the declaration as a public holiday in the state, on the day of polling i.e. Wednesday, 15th October 2014 for the General Assembly Elections.

The Indian Bank Association has also declared as public holiday under Negotiable Instruments Act, 1881 on Wednesday, 15.10.2014 on account of General Assembly Elections in the State of Maharashtra. The public holiday may be applicable to all government offices, private organizations, all public and private sector banks and all educational institutions.

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