Punjab Newsline, Chandigarh-
In a first-of-its-kind initiative in elections, the Election Commission of India (ECI) under the leadership of CEC Gyanesh Kumar recently introduced the mobile phone deposit facility at all polling stations to be implemented from the upcoming Bye elections including that of Bye elections to be held for Assembly Constituency 64-Ludhiana West on 19th June.
This new facility, based on instructions issued by the Election Commission of India on 23rd May 2025, aims to enhance the voter experience while at the same time upholding the secrecy of voting as mandated under Rule 49M of the Conduct of Elections Rules, 1961. Voters arriving at polling stations with mobile phones will now be able to securely deposit their devices at designated counters just outside the polling station entrance. These counters will be managed by trained volunteers using jute/cloth bag mobile holders as per ECI guidelines.
The facility is designed to facilitate all the voters, particularly women, senior citizens, and persons with disabilities, who often face difficulty without access to their mobile phones. However, Phones will not be allowed inside the polling stations and must be switched off within the 100-metre periphery to maintain the secrecy and decorum of the election process.
Sibin C., Chief Electoral Officer, Punjab, while announcing the pilot of this initiative, stated, “Implementing the mobile phone deposit facility during the Ludhiana West bye-elections is part of our broader effort to improve the convenience of the voters, while maintaining the secrecy of voting.”
The facility will be uniformly implemented across all 194 polling stations in the Ludhiana West constituency during the upcoming Bye election. Proper arrangements are also being made to ensure that the deposited mobile phones are returned safely after voting.