The Election Commission sent ballot boxes to 14 states and Union territories for the Presidential polls, which were booked with separate ‘two way’ air tickets under the name ‘Mr Ballot box’ for the journey.
As the voting for the presidential election concluded on Monday, the ballot boxes boarded flights on separate air tickets under the name ‘Mr Ballot box’, accompanied by election officers, for their return journey to Delhi from the states’ capitals.
The Election Commission of India(ECI) sent ballot boxes to 14 states and Union territories for the Presidential polls. The ballot boxes were booked with separate ‘two way’ air tickets under the name ‘Mr Ballot box’ for the journey.
Earlier, the boxes were sent as hand baggage by supervising officials. But this year, the commission has booked two-way tickets for the ballot boxes.
Election officers occupy the seats adjacent to the ballot boxes. The officers are entrusted with transporting ballot papers and special pens to mark votes.
When the votes are counted on 21 July, these boxes will play a major role in determining whether Droupadi Murmu or Yashwant Sinha will be the next occupant of Rashtrapati Bhavan.
But why are these ballot boxes being transported on separate air tickets?
In a press statement issued last week, the ECI said, “ The Ballot Box has a prominent role in the process of presidential elections — being no ordinary box, as it is to hold the fate of the highest office of the largest democracy on the planet. Thus, the mandated procedure specifies special caution during the transportation, storage, and use of these boxes. Particularly for the conduct of presidential elections, the process also involves a fascinating journey of the Ballot Box reaching every state capital.”
It further said, “During transportation, the Ballot Boxes fly on a separate air ticket booked in the name of ‘Mr Ballot Box’ seated in the front row of the aircraft beside the seat of the officer transporting the materials under personal supervision.
