Jalandhar, January 10, 2017: In Punjab assembly elections 2017, voters to witness the photographs of candidates on ballot paper for the first time, which will facilitate voters to cast their vote without any confusion in case of two or more candidates having same name.
District election officer cum Deputy Commissioner Mr. Kamal Kishor Yadav said that the Commission has noted that there are many cases where candidates with same or similar names contest from the same Constituency, and although appropriate suffix are added to the names of candidates in the event of two or more candidates having same name. He said that now the Commission considers that additional measures are required for removing confusion in the minds of electors at the time of voting, and further, the Commission considers that photographs of candidates on ballot paper will facilitate the electors in casting their votes an also the candidates in their campaign.
The photograph of the candidates would be printed in the panel for the name of the candidates and shall appear to the right side of the name in between the name and symbol of the candidate or the column for marking votes/preference, as the case may be, he added.
Talking about the specifications for the photograph, he said that the candidates are required to submit their recent photograph (taken during the preceding period of 3 months before the date of notification). The photograph should be stamp size 2 cm. X 2.5 cm. (2 cm in breadth and 2.cm in height) in white/off white background, with full face view directly facing the camera neutral facial expression with eyes open. The photo may be in colour or black and white as may be convenient for the candidate. Photograph should be in normal clothing. Photograph in uniform is not permitted. Caps/hats should be avoided. Dark glasses also are to be avoided, he said.