Penultimate Round Of EVM Counting Only After Postal Ballot Count Ends: Election Commission

The Election Commission of India (ECI) has unveiled its 30th reform in just six months, this time focusing on the counting of postal ballots to ensure greater transparency and uniformity in the electoral process.

New Guidelines for Postal Ballot Counting

• Counting of postal ballots and electronically transmitted postal ballots (ETPBs) begins at 8:00 am, while EVM counting starts at 8:30 am.

• Previously, EVM counting could progress regardless of the stage of postal ballot counting, sometimes even concluding earlier.

• With the growing number of postal ballots, particularly after the introduction of home voting for persons with disabilities and senior citizens (85+), the Commission has now 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.

• Returning Officers have been instructed to deploy sufficient tables and counting staff to prevent delays, especially in constituencies with a high volume of postal ballots.

Part of a Wider Reform Drive

This step marks the 30th initiative by the ECI in the past half year, as part of its ongoing effort to modernise and improve India’s electoral system. The reforms fall under six key areas:

Convenience for Voters

• Mobile deposit facility at polling stations.

• Maximum cap of 1,200 electors per polling station to avoid overcrowding.

• Redesigned voter slips and EVMs displaying candidates’ colour photos.

Strengthening Electoral Systems

• Deregistration of 808 unrecognised political parties.

• New SOPs for verification of EVM microcontrollers.

• Standard photo ID cards for Booth Level Officers (BLOs).

Engagement with Political Parties

• Over 4,700 all-party meetings held nationwide.

• High-level consultations with 25 recognised national and state parties.

Enhanced Use of Technology

• Launch of ECINET, integrating 40+ apps into a single digital platform.

• 100 per cent webcasting at polling stations.

• Real-time voter turnout data entry via the ECINET app.

Purity of Electoral Rolls

• Linking death registration data to remove ineligible voters.

• Elimination of duplicate EPIC numbers.

• New SOP to ensure EPIC delivery within 15 days.

Capacity Building

• Training for BLOs, Booth Level Agents, police officers, and media officers.

• Enhanced remuneration for BLOs, supervisors, and poll staff.

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