Punjab SEC directs DCs to prevent misuse of ballot papers after fake ballot concerns
Babushahi Bureau
Chandigarh, December 12, 2025: The Punjab State Election Commission (SEC) has issued an urgent advisory to all Deputy Commissioners-cum-District Electoral Officers directing them to ensure strict security and foolproof custody of ballot papers for the ongoing Zila Parishad and Panchayat Samiti elections.
The directive comes in response to a news report published in The Tribune on December 12, wherein a political party expressed apprehensions regarding alleged printing of fake ballot papers in Ambala.
The SEC instructed officers to maintain proper record-keeping and watertight security of all ballot papers printed at authorized presses. All Returning Officers and Presiding Officers have been ordered to take personal responsibility for ensuring that no external or duplicate ballot paper enters the polling process.
Click the link to read the order copy:https://drive.google.com/file/d/1f0NdrAHkc8J_6uctlNP3z6Q-fIvZUL6M/view?usp=sharing
The Commission reiterated several existing checks and safeguards, including:
- Authorised collection and secure custody of ballot papers by Returning Officers.
- Serial numbers are printed on both ballot papers and counterfoils.
- Mandatory signatures of Presiding Officers on the back of each ballot paper before issue.
- Strict tally of received, used, and unused ballot papers at every polling station.
- Compulsory display of empty ballot boxes to polling agents before sealing.
- Secure sealing and transportation of ballot boxes to receipt centres after polling.
- Close scrutiny during counting to tally polled votes with ballot papers retrieved.
The Commission also directed that counted ballot papers must be stored securely at designated locations post-counting.