With the presidential election becoming one of the most bitterly contested, the Election Commission has for the first time issued a series of guidelines to ensure that the successor to A P J Abdul Kalam is chosen smoothly.

The guidelines relate to issues as diverse as video coverage of critical events to a ban on carrying cell phones by voters inside polling stations and the showing of proper identification by members of Parliament and legislators on the polling day.

In separate instructions to returning officers, the commission said the videography of critical events should cover storage of ballot boxes, papers and other election materials, as well as opening of strong rooms for shifting ballot boxes and papers to the place of election on polling day.

The visuals should clearly establish the placement of voting compartment and seating arrangements from the point of view of maintaining the secrecy of the ballot, it said.

If any incident occurs during the course of polling that could impact the orderly and smooth conduct of the election, it should also be videographed and poll officials have got an active role to play in this matter, it said.

"However, under no circumstances the video coverage shall result in compromising the ballot secrecy even remotely," the commission said.

As part of efforts to ensure orderly conduct of the poll, it banned the carrying of cell phones, cordless phones and wireless sets inside polling stations by voters and poll officials.