Thiruvananthapuram: In Kerala’s local body elections, polling agents walk into booths with an unusual but essential item in their pockets: a ₹10 note. It may look ordinary, but inside the booth, that small note can decide whether a suspected bogus voter is challenged on the spot.

The ₹10 notes are used when an agent is certain that the person who has come to vote is not a genuine voter. Before the indelible ink is applied to the finger, the agent can raise a challenge by placing a ₹10 note as a deposit. The agent must then produce sufficient evidence to prove that the person is not the real voter. The presiding officer will examine the claim and take appropriate action. If the person is genuine, they will be allowed to vote. If not, Form 12 will be filled out, and the ‘bogus voter’ will be handed over to the police.

Apart from the currency notes, agents are required to carry a pencil, pen, paper, the latest voters' list, an agent pass and their election ID card. Each candidate can appoint up to three polling agents. Only one is allowed inside the booth at a time, while the other two serve as relief agents. If the agent inside the booth needs to step out for an unavoidable reason, a relief agent may take their place. However, after 3 pm, the relief agent cannot replace someone who leaves. This is why the agent on duty after 3 pm usually remains inside until the polling process ends. Agents are seated in the order of candidates on the ballot.

In grama panchayat booths, the number of agents is higher because voters cast ballots for the grama, block and district panchayats, which means more candidates. The number is comparatively lower in urban areas. This time, with 75,644 candidates contesting statewide, it is estimated that the total number of polling agents will be close to 1.5 lakh.

Agents must reach the polling booth by 5.30 am. Their workload is comparable to that of polling officials. From witnessing the mock poll of electronic voting machines in the morning to verifying and signing off on the sealing of the machines after polling ends and the final voter count is tallied, agents play an active role. Before entering the booth, agents are expected to review the voter list to confidently identify voters thoroughly. After polling, their inputs are crucial in preparing reports on voter turnout, favourable or unfavourable to their party or candidate.

Experienced booth-level party workers are usually appointed as agents. Young workers are brought in as relief agents to gain experience for the future. The fact that some parties admit, after elections, that they lacked enough agents for specific booths only underscores the political importance of these roles.