How are ‘polls’ conducted in India?

(i) The final stage of an election is the day when the voters cast their- votes in a polling booth. That day is usually called the Election Da1′.
(ii) Every person whose name is on the voters’ list can go to a nearby ‘polling booth’, situated usually in a local school or a government office.
(iii) Once the voter goes inside the booth, the election officials identify, him or her by putting a mark on his or her finger and allow him or her-to cast the vote.
(iv) An agent of each candidate is allowed to sit inside the polling booth and ensure that the voting takes place in a fair way.
(v) A ballot paper is placed in which the names of the contesting candidates along with their party name and symbols are listed.
(vi) Nowadays, Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) are used to record votes.
(vii) The machine shows the names of the candidates and party symbols. Independent candidates too have their own symbols, allotted by the election officials.
(viii) Each voter has to press the button against the name of the candidate she or he wants to vote for.