The Election Commission of India (ECI) has announced important changes to the vote-counting process aimed at maintaining consistency and enhancing transparency. According to the new guidelines, the second phase of counting involving postal ballots will commence only after the completion of counting all other postal ballots during elections.
Over the past six months, the ECI has undertaken several initiatives to improve transparency and efficiency in the electoral process. As part of these efforts, the commission has revised the procedure for counting postal ballots—both in paper and electronic formats—to make the process simpler and more transparent.
Traditionally, vote counting involves two main stages: the counting of postal ballots (physical and electronic) and the counting of votes via Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs). On counting day, postal ballot counting begins at 8:00 a.m., while EVM counting starts at 8:30 a.m. Previously, EVM counting could proceed independently of postal ballot counting, sometimes resulting in EVM votes being fully counted before the postal ballots.
However, with the recent provision allowing senior citizens aged 85 and above, as well as persons with disabilities, to vote from home, the number of postal ballots has increased significantly. To maintain overall consistency and clarity in the counting process, the ECI has now directed that EVM and VVPAT counting should start only after the second phase of postal ballot counting is completed.
Furthermore, in constituencies with a large number of postal ballots, the ECI has instructed returning officers to ensure the availability of sufficient tables and counting personnel. This measure is intended to maintain both the speed and transparency of the counting process.
These changes reflect the ECI’s commitment to upholding the integrity of elections and ensuring that every vote is counted fairly and transparently.
https://www.freepressjournal.in/india/election-commission-revises-postal-ballot-counting-procedure-to-ensure-transparency
