One micro observer will be present on every counting table during counting of votes for 29 lok Sabha constituencies in Madhya Pradesh on May 16. The micro observer will be responsible for counting on that table.
Election Commission has given directives in this regard to the district election officers according to which the micro observer will give his report after signing statement following completion of every round of counting. Every counting hall will also have two additional micro observers, one of which will keep watch over data entry and another one will check statement after every round.
District election officers have been directed that if adequate number of central staff is not available in their districts then they should be arranged from neighbouring districts. Random selection of counting staff will be made in three phases. The selected employees will be provided with photo ID cards by the DEO. Reserve counting staff will be seated in a separate place in the counting hall. All staff to be deployed in counting will be selected by returning officer. Persons employed by a candidate or on his behalf as well as employees of local bodies will not be deployed in counting. The commission has also directed that only authorised persons will be allowed to enter counting hall.
They include counting supervisors and assistants, persons authorised by the commission, public servants associated with election work, candidates and their agents. District election officers have also been directed to ensure that no unauthorised person enters the counting hall. Election Commission has clarified that generally, police officers do not come under the definition of public servants whether they are in uniform or not.
As per general rule, police officers should not be allowed to enter counting hall unless they are required to maintain law and order or for any other work. Similarly, Ministers of Centre and State Governments, ministers of State and deputy ministers also do not come under this category. They can enter counting hall only when they are candidates.