New Delhi: The grand festival of Lok Sabha elections 2024, spanning six weeks, will conclude on Tuesday. Voters across the country participated in this historic event, casting their ballots in seven phases across all Lok Sabha constituencies. The results, eagerly awaited, will be announced tomorrow. Understanding the vote-counting process is crucial with a staggering 64 crore 20 lakh voters spread across diverse regions.
Here are the key details about how votes are counted during the Lok Sabha elections:
- Two-Phase Counting Process:
- Votes are counted in two distinct phases.
- First, the votes received through postal ballots, including postal ballots and ETPBS (service voters), are tallied.
- Subsequently, the votes cast using Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) are counted.
- Role of the Returning Officer (RO):
- The responsibility for ensuring accurate voting and error-free results lies with the Returning Officer.
- Typically, the district magistrate serves as the returning officer.
- In districts with multiple constituencies, the Election Commission appoints a government official as the election officer based on state government recommendations.
- Counting Supervisors:
- After voting concludes, EVMs are securely stored in strong rooms.
- On counting day, EVMs are retrieved from the strong room, and votes are counted in the presence of candidates or their representatives.
- Video cameras are installed in the counting room to prevent any negligence during the process.
- Counting supervisors, appointed by the Returning Officer, oversee the vote tally.
- The Returning Officer, contesting candidates, their agents, and counting staff are present in the strong room during counting.
- Counting Procedure:
- The strong room is opened, and the EVM control unit is placed on the counting table.
- Polling agents verify the unique ID and seal of the control unit.
- If no objections arise from the candidates’ agents, the vote counting begins.
- Up to 15 agents can be present at the counting location.
- Post-Counting Measures:
- Candidates confirm their agents’ details and provide their photos in advance.
- Agents can request a recount if any irregularities are suspected during the process.
- Once counting is complete, the EVMs are re-secured in the same strong room for 45 days.
- After finalization, the EVMs are shifted to another location.
The Lok Sabha elections represent a celebration of democracy, and the meticulous vote-counting process ensures transparency and accuracy in determining the people’s mandate.
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