Assam polls: CEO conducts training for vote counting
In a bid to ensure a seamless and transparent conclusion to the 2026 Assam Legislative Assembly elections, the Chief Electoral Officer (CEO), Assam, organised a comprehensive training programme for poll officials at a city hotel on Saturday.
The session, held at Radisson Blu, was specifically tailored for District Election Officers (DEOs), Returning Officers, and Election Officers to familiarise them with the rigorous protocols required for the counting of votes, scheduled for May 4.
Presiding over the programme, CEO Anurag Goel emphasised that the counting process must be executed in strict adherence to the guidelines laid down by the Election Commission of India (ECI).
He urged officials to maintain “special vigilance” during the handling of Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) and Voter Verifiable Paper Audit Trails (VVPATs).
The training covered the entire spectrum of post-poll procedures, including the opening of strong rooms, the secure transportation of materials to counting halls, and the methodical counting of postal ballots and EVM votes.
Detailed instructions were also provided regarding the deployment of counting personnel, issuance of identity cards to agents, and the implementation of robust fire safety and media management protocols.
The programme also featured interactive sessions where officials clarified technical queries regarding the mandatory post-counting formalities to be completed within stipulated timeframes.
Senior poll officials, including the Additional and Joint Chief Electoral Officers, attended the session as resource persons.
This administrative push comes as the State prepares for the final stage of the democratic exercise that saw voters across 126 constituencies exercise their franchise on April 9.
