(1) At an election at which a poll is to be taken, any contesting candidate may appoint one agent and one relief agent to act as polling agents of such candidate, at each polling station. Such appointment shall be made by a letter in writing in Form ‘Election-6’ signed by the candidate.
(2) The candidate shall deliver the letter of appointment to the polling agents who shall, on the date fixed for the poll, present it to and sign the declaration contained therein, before the Presiding Officer.
The Presiding Officer shall retain the letter presented to him in his custody. The polling agent shall not be allowed to perform any duty at the polling station unless he has complied with the provisions of this rule.
(3) The polling agents may work as counting agents as per the authority given by the candidate in Form ‘Election-7’.
(4) Each contesting candidate may appoint not more than two agents to act as counting agents of such candidate by a letter in writing in duplicate in Form ‘Election-8’ signed by the candidates.
Before the commencement of the counting of votes, the candidate shall give notice of the appointment of such counting agents to the Returning Officer by forwarding to such Officer the letter of appointment. The candidate shall also deliver the duplicate copy of the letter of appointment to the counting agent who shall, on the date fixed for the counting of votes, present it to, and sign the declaration contained therein before the Returning Officer. The Returning Officer shall retain the duplicate copy presented to him in his custody. No counting agent shall be allowed to perform any duty at the place fixed for the counting of votes, unless he has complied with these provisions.