Do’s and Don’ts of Secret Ballot Election Process
CLC circular F.No. Misc.31(02)/2025-Vfn.(part-I) · 10 Oct 2025
Official title
Dos & Don'ts of SBE
Summary
Check the official recordWhat changed
The Office of the Chief Labour Commissioner (CLC) has issued an indicative list of Do’s and Don’ts for the Secret Ballot Election process. This guidance applies to Returning Officers, Establishments (Management), participating Trade Unions, and Voters (workers). The document outlines specific responsibilities and prohibited actions for each stakeholder to ensure neutrality, transparency, and order during elections. Key requirements include maintaining ballot secrecy, ensuring accurate voter lists, adhering to canvassing restrictions, and following official instructions during polling and counting. This circular serves as a reference for all regional heads to facilitate the conduct of fair elections within establishments.
What you must do
- Returning Officers must maintain neutrality and impartiality.
- Establishments must provide correct voter lists including all on-roll workers.
Document text
By Mail
F.No. Misc.31(02)/2025-Vfn.(part-I) Government of India Ministry of Labour & Employment Office of the Chief Labour Commissioner(C), Shrmev Jayte Bhawan, Dwarka Sector-10 New Delhi -110075
Dated: 10.10.2025
To, All Regional Heads
Sub: Do’s & Don’ts of Secret Ballot Election process-reg.
Sir,
As part of the approved Vision Document prepared for the Verification Section, O/o CLC(C), an indicative list of Do’s and Don’ts of Secret Ballot Election process (copy enclosed) have been prepared for Returning officer, Establishment, Trade Unions & Voters.
Therefore, the same is being circulated for reference.
This issues with the approval of Chief Labour Commissioner(C).
Your faithfully,
(S.K. Sahu) Dy. CLC(C), HQ
Encl: As above
Copy to: IT Cell for uploading on the website of the O/o CLC(C).
Indicative Do’s and Don’ts of Secret Ballot Election
| Role | Do’s ✅ | Don’ts ❌ |
|---|---|---|
| Returning Officer (RO) | Maintain neutrality & impartiality. | Do not allow Management Reps. to interfere in polling and counting process. |
| Collect consent & undertakings from unions & management. | Do not count spoiled/duplicate/damaged votes. | |
| Prepare and finalize voters’ list after objections. | Do not permit confusing/resembling symbols. | |
| Fix election date/time & give wide publicity. | Do not allow canvassing near polling booths. | |
| Details of the contesting parties/ unions will be arranged in the alphabetical order in the ballot paper. | Do not allow Agents/ Reliever to carry electronic gadgets to the polling/ counting booth | |
| Allot distinct symbols to each union. | Do not allow reliever during the process of counting | |
| Appoint Presiding Officers & Polling Assistants. | Do not allow Management Rep. and Agents to move out during the process of counting | |
| Allow Polling Agent/Reliever of each Union during polling, they must be a worker/employee of the establishment, member of the union and himself should be a voter. | ||
| Ensure Workers who are under suspension, and whose names included in the voters list will be allowed to cast their votes. | ||
| Ensure secrecy of ballot (proper booths, boxes, ballot papers). | ||
| Ensure no polling booths shall be closed before the scheduled time. | ||
| Take necessary steps to facilitate the physically challenged and Visually Handicapped Voters to cast his/her vote. | ||
| In case of last minute rush on Election date, the voters who are in queue before closing time will be issued with slips from the last person and allow them to cast his/her vote. | ||
| Count votes transparently in presence of Agents of all the participating Unions. However, the process shall not halt for non-reporting of Agents within the prescribed period. | ||
| In case two or more unions secure equal number of votes, the result will be decided by lot. However, recounting of votes may be exercised on demand. | ||
| Ensure submission of report of election & results to CLC (C) immediately. | ||
| Establishment (Management) | Provide correct voters’ list (including all the on roll workers as on date of voting). | Do not manipulate/add/remove names from voters’ list. |
| Display voters’ list on notice boards. | Do not interfere in polling, counting or RO’s decisions. | |
| Arrange ballot papers, boxes, booths, seals, stationery and other logistic arrangements (in consultation with RO). | Do not allow union meetings or canvassing inside premises 24 hrs before poll. | |
| Publicize election date/time widely. | Do not obstruct arrangements directed by RO. | |
| Ensure hassle free exercise of the franchise by all the voters who are on the voters list. | Do not participate and help any particular Union in canvassing | |
| If applicable, provide the details of outside voters for postal ballots in order to dispatch the ballot papers to the concerned voters. | Do not insert the name of retired, retrenched and dismissed workers in the voter list. | |
| Ensure Security arrangement during the process of election. | ||
| Accept results of secret ballot as binding. | ||
| Unions (Participating Trade Unions) | Furnish registration details, affiliation (if any), annual return and By-law/ Constitution of Union to RO. | Do not refuse to accept the result once agreed. |
| Provide undertaking to accept results of secret ballot. | Do not use symbols resembling another union's or any political party or federations | |
| Cooperate with RO & Presiding Officers during the process. | Do not hold meetings/rallies inside or near premises within 24 hrs before poll. | |
| The Unions shall submit their symbols to the RO and any dispute/difference on symbols, the decision of the Returning Officer including allotment of new symbol (if required) is final. | Do not canvass during working hours inside the establishment. | |
| Use allotted distinct symbol only for campaigning. | No canvassing and no banners or any posters/ papers connected to elections to be displayed within 100 meters radius of the polling booth on the Election date. | |
| Educate members on voting procedure & secrecy. | Do not intimidate or influence workers inside polling stations. | |
| Ensure timely nomination of Agents/ Relievers for polling & Counting Agents in the prescribed format and their timely reporting to the concerned places. | ||
| Ensure the Agents have briefed properly to cooperate with polling/ counting officials and no agents shall leave the counting process without singing of result compilation sheet | ||
| Voters (Workers) | Check your name in voters’ list before poll. | Do not vote more than once. |
| Follow Presiding Officer’s instructions. | Do not spoil/damage ballot paper. | |
| Cast vote secretly using ballot paper & union symbol. | Do not influence or canvass inside polling area. | |
| Maintain discipline at polling booths. | Do not indulge in disorderly conduct. | |
| Respect election rules & secrecy. | Do not raise frivolous objections to delay poll. | |
| Bring your establishment Identity Card | Do not bring any document or material, or wear any attire or badge, which shows a political party's or candidate's symbol | |
| Fold your ballot paper as per instructions of polling officials and drop the folded ballot paper into the ballot box | Do not sign or write anything on the ballot paper by which you may be identified | |
| Do not bring the ballot paper out of the polling station - This is an offence. | ||
| Do not put anything else into the ballot box | ||
| Do not try to find out how any other voter has voted or intends to vote | ||
| Do not bring or use any camera, video or photographic equipment in the polling station | ||
| Do not use your hand phone in the polling station | ||
| Do not vote for any other person |
Source details
- Source
- Chief Labour Commissioner (Central)
- Type
- circular
- Published by source
- 10 Oct 2025
- Document number
- F.No. Misc.31(02)/2025-Vfn.(part-I)
- Issuing division
- Office of the Chief Labour Commissioner(C), Ministry of Labour & Employment
- Coverage area
- labour