‘Gear up for counting’

Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Rajeev Kumar has emphasised the need for meticulous planning to ensure a smooth and accurate declaration of election results. Ahead of the counting scheduled for June 4, Kumar has instructed officials to stick to the Election Commission of India’s (ECI) guidelines and expedite preparations to minimise any delays in announcing the outcome.
During a comprehensive review session, Election Commissioners Gyanesh Kumar and Dr Sukhbir Singh Sandhu, along with CEOs and ROs from various constituencies, discussed arrangements for the vote-counting process.
Kumar commended the collective efforts that have led to the successful execution of the general elections nationwide and urged officials to uphold the same level of dedication for the impending vote counting.
Key directives include maintaining strict crowd control at the designated strong rooms where Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) are stored, ensuring uninterrupted power supply, and having contingency measures such as power backup, fire safety equipment, and ambulances on standby.
Election personnel will receive thorough training on EVM vote counting procedures, and necessary IT equipment like computers, printers, and scanners will be set up well in advance at counting centres.
On the day of the counting, EVMs will be handled methodically, and once the vote tally is completed, they will be promptly sealed and stored securely.
Movement of EVMs will be minimized to avoid unnecessary disruptions. Additionally, special provisions will be made for the Electronic Transfer Postal Ballot Management System (ETPBMS), with dedicated tables and scanners for counting.
The EC stressed the importance of timely and accurate result announcements, facilitated through display boards. State Chief Electoral Officer Mukesh Kumar Meena, alongside Additional CEO P Koteswara Rao and MN Harendhira Prasad from the Andhra Pradesh State Election Commission office, participated in a video conference addressing these preparations. Similarly, Chief Electoral Officers from Andhra Pradesh, Arunachal Pradesh, Odisha, and Sikkim, representing areas where elections were conducted in five phases, joined the conference from their respective states.