With barely two days left for the counting of votes for the 16th lok Sabha polls, the Election Commission of India (ECI) has given its green signal to elected members of civic bodies to become counting agents of candidates of lok Sabha polls whose fate have been sealed in Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs). The counting of votes is scheduled on Friday ( May 16).
According to the fresh EC guideline, the Corporators of Municipal Corporations, Municipalities, Nagar Parishad, Village Panchayats, Sarpanch, members of the Zilla Panchayat and Janapath Panchayat would be permitted to become counting agents of candidates in the lok Sabha polls.
Earlier, the EC had restrained them from becoming counting agents. Every candidate is entitled to depute his/her agents in every counting booth to ensure that the counting is done in a free and fair manner.
The EC, however, continued to restrain the entry of ministers of Central and State governments and presidents/ chairmen of civic bodies including Mayors into the venue of counting, as most of them have got security which would create inconveniences to staff involved in counting activity.
According to EC, the counting of votes in the Raipur lok Sabha (lS) seat consisting seven assembly segments would be taken up in 15 to 17 rounds.