Next round of EVM votes’ counting will not be started till completion of counting of postal ballots in all respects. These directives have been issued by Election Commission of India. Earlier, such instructions have also been given in returning officers’ handbook.
The commission has pointed out that the number of postal ballots has increased considerably as a result of providing this facility to poll staff and police personnel. Keeping this in view, the commission has issued additional directives.
According to the directives, returning officer will meet counting supervisor a day before counting and give him details about total number of postal ballots received from facilitation centres, by post and by hand. At the time of start of counting returning officer will also inform supervisor about number of postal ballots received till 8 am. For counting of postal ballots, 2 tables will be placed and an additional table, if required. According to the commission, there must be an ARO on every table for counting of postal ballots. Thus, there will be AROs deputed on all counting tables.
Every counting table will be manned by a counting supervisor and 2 counting assistants, who should be gazetted officers. Trained staff will be deployed for counting of postal ballots. Before distributing postal ballots to counting tables, supervisors will inform counting assistants and micro observers about requirements of official declaration of counting results and ROs/AROs about verification of declared results.
ROs will ensure declaration of results by counting supervisors and AROs is not delayed unduly. Directives have been given to appoint an additional micro observer at every counting table. The commission has directed to get checked all postal ballots rejected by returning officers due to error in declaration in Form-13 A before placing them under rejected category. Candidates will have right to appoint agent at every counting table.
Officers have been directed to inform political parties about additional counting tables which may be placed for expediting counting in view of large number of postal ballots so that they can appoint their agents at every additional counting table. Supervisors will minutely inspect counting process specially declaration in Form-13 A. At the time of submitting final report, a detailed account of adopted counting process will have to be given including total number of postal ballots received, number of rejected postal ballots, number of tables placed for counting and total time taken in the process. This entire process will be brought to the notice of DEO/RO/ARO and observers.