Chief Electoral Officer Rajat Kumar has cautioned the officials drafted for the counting of votes for recently concluded Lok Sabha elections against declaring results in a hurried manner.
The officials concerned should instead focus on the accuracy of votes counted in compliance with the regulations established by law and the guidelines stipulated by the Election Commission. The participants were advised to take all measures to answer doubts regarding various procedural aspects involved so as to dispel rumours, besides not giving scope for spread of falsehood on the social media.
The CEO participated in a workshop organised for the officials involved in counting process to review the arrangements and preparedness of the administration for counting of votes for the 17 Lok Sabha seats on May 23. The officials concerned were directed to be alert and aware of the procedures involved and take adequate steps to avoid scope for any last minute hurdles in the process. Counting officials should be extremely clear regarding the regulations and guidelines stipulated by the EC and should effectively communicate the same to all the stakeholders - contesting candidates, media, political parties and the EC officials.
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Transparency aspect
The officials concerned should ensure effective communication besides ensuring utmost transparency in the entire process.
In addition, focus should be on delegation of responsibilities to dependable officials and ensuring adequate precautionary measures against instances of power failures, loss of communication and other aspects. Officials were directed to hold meetings with the political parties and brief them regarding the regulations and guidelines that would be followed in the counting process.
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The process itself would be held in three stages - pre-counting stage wherein strongrooms would be opened and transport of EVMs to the counting areas, officials should be present at their designated seats and ensure that EVMs are opened in accordance with the rules and the last stage involves counting of slips from five VVPATs as also postal ballots.
In the event of discrepancies in the counting of VVPAT slips, the officials concerned should amend the final sheet before declaring the results.
Once counting is completed, the EVMs should be resealed, deposited with the district election officers, transported under high security and stored in the godowns until they were finally returned to the Bharat Electronics Limited, he said.
District election officers, returning officers and assistant returning officers participated in the workshop.