Surekha is an officer in-charge of ensuring free and fair elections in an assembly constituency in a state. Describe what she should focus on for each of the following stages of election:
(a) Election campaign (b) Polling day (c) Counting day.
Surekha as an officer in-charge needs to focus on these following things:
(a) Election campaign: The expenditure in the campaign by every candidate should be inside the prescribed upper limit of set up by the election commission. Those in power should not use any government machinery for their personal campaigning. Every candidate should get equal opportunity to connect with the voters. Campaigning should be done in a way that no voters are unlawfully persuaded or pressurized.
(b) Polling day: Polling day can be marred by unruly behavior of some miscreant elements and thus it is necessary to ensure proper security is available on all polling booths. It is also necessary to coordinate with the local police and ensure that every voter gets equal chance to cast their votes. Extension of voting hours shall also be decided on per instance basis.
(c) Counting day: On the counting day or say result day there should be good security arrangement so that no party can use unfair means to affect free and fair counting of the votes.