Ensure no disturbances at counting centres: CEO

Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) Mukesh Kumar Meena conducted a virtual conference with district officials in preparation for the vote counting on June 4. He emphasised the importance of taking adequate precautions to prevent disturbances at the counting centres and warned that strict legal action would be taken against anyone attempting to cause disruptions. He also urged district electoral officers to announce the exact results swiftly.
During the meeting, the CEO highlighted the intense competition in the elections and advised officials to take measures to avoid emotional situations that could affect the vote counting process. He stressed the need for uncompromising action to maintain law and order.
Meena instructed that each Electronic Voting Machine (EVM) should be sealed and secured immediately after counting is completed. He also outlined the steps to ensure that the Form-21C/21E, related to the declaration of results, reaches the Election Commission of India (ECI) the day after the counting.
Additionally, he stated that agents should be allowed at each counting table only if there is no candidate present at the Returning Officer (RO) table. Agents entering the counting center should only carry Form-17C, a pen or pencil, and plain paper. Journalists with letters of authority can enter the media centre with cell phones but are not permitted to bring them into the counting centre.
Meena recommended that all counting centres meet fire safety standards and obtain certification from the fire department.
He also emphasised the importance of clearly marked entry and exit points, approved by the district-level committee, and the installation of signboards indicating these points. The CEO directed District Election Officers to implement robust and planned measures to ensure the smooth conduct of the vote counting process.
Additional CEOs P. Koteswara Rao, M.N. Harendhira Prasad, Joint CEO S. Venkateswara Rao, and all district election officers participated in this video conference from their respective districts.