Chandigarh, Oct 3 (Reporter) Haryana Chief Electoral Officer (CEO), Pankaj Agarwal, informed on Thursday that the Election Commission of India (ECI) has issued guidelines regarding the assistance provided by supporters of political parties and contesting candidates to voters on polling day. He said that supporters may set up their election booths only outside a radius of 200 metres from the polling station premises. Each booth may include only one table and two chairs, and a tent measuring 10 feet in length and width can be erected for shade, he informed. Additionally, no posters, flags, symbols or any other promotional materials may be displayed, and no food items are allowed, he said and pointed that the gathering of a crowd at these booths is also prohibited. Prior permission must be obtained from the local administration to set up these booths, he said. Agarwal further said that only one election booth for a candidate may be established beyond 200 metres from the polling station. Candidates wishing to set up such booths must inform the Returning Officer in writing and in advance, providing the names and serial numbers of the polling stations where the booths are proposed. They must also obtain written permission from the relevant government or local authorities, such as Corporations, Municipalities, Zila Parishads, Town Area Committees, and Panchayat Samitis, under applicable local laws. This written permission must be kept at the booth to present to election or police authorities upon request, he said. He emphasized that these booths must not encroach on public or private property. Expenses incurred for setting up these booths and any activities conducted there will be recorded as part of the candidate’s election expenditure, as prescribed, he said and informed that these booths are to be used solely for issuing unofficial identity slips to voters. Such slips must be printed without the candidate's name, symbol, or the name of the political party, strictly following the Commission's directives, he said. The personnel at these booths must not prevent voters from accessing polling stations or hinder them from visiting other candidates' booths. Additionally, the individuals deployed by political parties or candidates at these booths must be voters from the same polling station, possess a Voter Identity Card, and present it upon request from a Sector Magistrate or Supervisor, he said. Political parties and candidates must ensure that no individuals with criminal backgrounds are assigned to these polling stations, he warned...////...