Manner of writing Arabic numerals in the ballot paper
Manner of writing Arabic numerals in the ballot paper
Queries are being received from the members as to the manner in which the Arabic numeral ” 1 ” and so on is required to be written while marking preference in the ballot papers. The doubt seems to have arisen as different persons have a different way of writing the numeral ” 1 ” e.g. “1” or “I”
In this connection, attention is drawn to Rule 20 of the Chartered Accountants (Election to the Council) Rules, 2006 which is reproduced hereunder for ready reference:
“20. Admissible number of votes to a voter :
(1) A voter shall have one vote only, and he shall have as many preferences as there are candidates.
(2) The voter in order to cast his vote:-
(a) shall place on his ballot paper the number 1 (in Arabic Numerals) in the box opposite the name of the candidate for whom he desires to vote; and
(b) may, in addition, place on his ballot paper the number 2, or the numbers 2 and 3 or the numbers 2, 3 and 4 (in Arabic numerals) and so on the in the boxes opposite the names of other candidates in the order of his preference, upto the maximum nurnber of preferences available to him under sub-rule (1).
(c) May put ‘X’ against whom he has not mentioned any preference.”
It is clarified that all the above styles of writing ” 1 ” are different fonts or different ways of writing the same Arabic numeral ” 1 ” and are valid for the purpose of the election process including treating as valid ballot paper.
If the numbers are written in Roman Numbers such as I, II, III, IV and so on or in words such as One, Two, Three, Four and so on or First, Second, Third, Fourth and so on, then also the ballot paper will be treated as invalid. It may also be
noted that any manner of marking numbers other than Arabic numerals, will render the ballot paper invalid.
The team of officials who will be undertaking the counting of votes are thorough with the process and have been sensitized about the manner of marking preference.
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