Panaji: March 30, 2015 …. The Election of India Commission has noted that there are many cases where candidates with same or similar names contest from the same constituency. Although appropriate suffixes are added to the names of candidates in the event of two or more candidates having same name, the Commission considers that additional measures are required for removing confusion in the minds of electors at the time of voting.
Having considered all aspects of the matter, the Commission in partial modification of its existing directions under Rule 22, 30 and Rule 49 B of the Conduct of Elections Rules, 1961, has specified that for elections to be held from May 1, 2015 onwards, the postal ballot papers, the ordinary ballot papers and the ballot papers to be displayed on the balloting unit of EVM in addition to the particulars as per the existing directions, also contain the photograph of the candidate.
The photograph of the candidate should be printed in the panel for the name of the candidate and to appear on the right side of the name in between the name and symbol of the candidate. The size of the photograph printed on the ballot paper shall be 2 cm. X 2.5 cm. (two cm. in breadth and 2.5 cm. in height).
The above direction for printing of photograph of candidate on the ballot paper will also apply in relation to elections by Assembly members and elections from Council constituencies. In respect of the said elections, the directions are in exercise of powers under Rule 30 as made applicable to these elections by Rule 70 of the said Rules.
