From Drinking Water to Wheelchair Ramps: ECI Issues Mandatory Checklist for 2026 Elections
Siliguri, March 22, 2026 — As political temperatures rise ahead of the crucial 2026 Assembly Elections in West Bengal, Assam, Kerala, Tamil Nadu, and Puducherry, the Election Commission of India (ECI) has rolled out strict directives to ensure a seamless and comfortable voting experience for citizens.
Following the schedule announcement on March 15, the ECI has issued mandatory instructions to the Chief Electoral Officers (CEOs) across all states and Union Territories, emphasizing that every single one of the 2,18,807 polling stations must be equipped with Assured Minimum Facilities (AMFs).
The ‘Mobile Deposit’ Initiative
In a major logistical update aimed at voter convenience and election security, the ECI is introducing a dedicated mobile phone deposit facility.
Voters will no longer have to worry about leaving their phones at home. Under the new guidelines, designated volunteers will be stationed outside the entrance of polling stations. Voters can simply hand over their switched-off mobile phones to the volunteer, cast their vote in the standard voting compartment, and collect their devices upon exiting the premises.
Mandatory Assured Minimum Facilities (AMFs)
To combat the exhausting heat and long waiting times that often deter voters, the ECI has made the provisioning of Assured Minimum Facilities non-negotiable.
CEOs have been strictly ordered to guarantee that every polling station provides:
Clean drinking water
Waiting areas equipped with adequate shade
Functional toilets with proper water facilities
Adequate lighting
Properly graded ramps to ensure accessibility for Persons with Disabilities (PwD)
Standardized voting compartments and clear signage
Additionally, to ease the physical toll of waiting in long lines, the Commission has directed that benches must be placed at regular intervals in the queues so that elderly or fatigued electors can sit while awaiting their turn.
Enhanced Voter Assistance
To eliminate the confusion of finding names on the electoral roll, every polling location will feature a specialized Voter Assistance Booth (VAB). Manned by Booth Level Officers (BLOs), these prominently marked booths will assist electors in quickly locating their exact polling booth number and serial number.
Furthermore, all polling stations will prominently display four uniform Voter Facilitation Posters (VFPs), detailing everything from the list of contesting candidates to approved identification documents and the step-by-step voting process.
The ECI has issued a stern reminder to all field functionaries that these measures are mandatory, and strict compliance will be monitored across all locations well before the actual poll dates.