NEW DELHI: The Election Commission of India has decided to further streamline the process of counting of Postal Ballots to reduce delays and enhance clarity as its 30th initiative.
To ensure uniformity and utmost clarity in the counting process , the Election Commission has decided that the penultimate (second last) round of EVM/VVPATs counting shall be taken up only after the counting of Postal Ballot Papers is completed, at the counting center, where postal ballot counting is being done.
"As per the earlier instructions, EVM counting could theoretically go on irrespective of the stage of postal ballot counting and chances of it getting completed before the completion of postal ballot counting cannot be ruled out. In view of the recent initiatives taken by the Commission for home voting for PwDs and senior citizens (85+) also, the number of postal ballots has increased substantially," the statement read.
"Although, counting of postal ballots generally gets completed before counting of EVMs, in order to ensure uniformity and utmost clarity in the counting process, the Commission has decided that, henceforth, the penultimate (second last) round of EVM/VVPATs counting shall be taken up only after the counting of Postal Ballot Papers is completed, at the counting center, where postal ballot counting is being done," it added.
The Commission has also directed that in cases where there are a large number of postal ballots, the ROs are to ensure that sufficient number of tables and counting staff are in place so there is no delay and the counting process is further streamlined.
Under the new guidelines, counting of postal ballots and Electronically Transmitted Postal Ballots (ETPBs) will take greater precedence over EVM counting to ensure uniformity and avoid confusion.
To ensure uniformity and utmost clarity in the counting process , the Election Commission has decided that the penultimate (second last) round of EVM/VVPATs counting shall be taken up only after the counting of Postal Ballot Papers is completed, at the counting center, where postal ballot counting is being done.
"As per the earlier instructions, EVM counting could theoretically go on irrespective of the stage of postal ballot counting and chances of it getting completed before the completion of postal ballot counting cannot be ruled out. In view of the recent initiatives taken by the Commission for home voting for PwDs and senior citizens (85+) also, the number of postal ballots has increased substantially," the statement read.
"Although, counting of postal ballots generally gets completed before counting of EVMs, in order to ensure uniformity and utmost clarity in the counting process, the Commission has decided that, henceforth, the penultimate (second last) round of EVM/VVPATs counting shall be taken up only after the counting of Postal Ballot Papers is completed, at the counting center, where postal ballot counting is being done," it added.
The Commission has also directed that in cases where there are a large number of postal ballots, the ROs are to ensure that sufficient number of tables and counting staff are in place so there is no delay and the counting process is further streamlined.
Under the new guidelines, counting of postal ballots and Electronically Transmitted Postal Ballots (ETPBs) will take greater precedence over EVM counting to ensure uniformity and avoid confusion.
You may also like
Delhi on alert: Bomb threat email sent to airport, schools, other institutions; probe launched
Earning Rs 60,000 but spending Rs 50,000? CA reveals how to escape the income vs lifestyle trap
Derry Girls star teams with Hollywood legend for BBC comedy based on bestselling book
HUF Doesn't End with the Death of Karta: Complete Guide to Setting It Up
ED to attach assets of some cricketers, actors in online betting case
