Assembly Election 2023: From coming out of the strong room to counting of votes… you must not have read the entire process of counting step by step till now

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Counting of Vote In India’s Elections: You must have seen the counting of votes after the voting for the elections. You must have ever been curious as to how a vote becomes powerful after counting.

**How are the votes counted from leaving the strong room to exiting.**

The Process of Vote Counting in India’s Elections: India is the largest democracy in the world and elections here are no less than a celebration. From the issue of election notification to the election of candidates of political parties, voting with nominations and then comes the most important day of counting of votes. This day increases the heartbeat of the public along with the candidates who have entered the election field.

With the increase of each vote in the counting, the jams overflow and the colors of despair emerge on the faces. Something like this starts with the counting of votes. Wouldn’t you like to know how the votes are counted after leaving the strong room? We are going to introduce you to this entire process of counting votes. So let’s see how your one vote after counting has the power to form and topple the government.

Strong testing is done first

EVMs and VVPATs are thoroughly checked for any Vidhansabha or for any voting booth. This is done so that any kind of disturbance or untowardness can be avoided. For this, EVMs and VVPATs are checked through random selection or sampling using EVM Management System (EMS) before sending them to the booths. Their list is also provided to political parties and candidates.

Commissioning of EVM and VVPAT

After the preparation of the last and final list of the candidates going to contest the elections, in the presence of those candidates, the commissioning of EVMs and VVPATs means that the names of the candidates are set in the machines. During this, TV or monitors are installed in the commissioning hall to maintain transparency.

After this, each candidate including NOTA is given one vote through mock voting. After this, there is a mock poll of 1000 votes of 5 percent EVMs and VVPATs. After this, the electronic results are matched with the paper count.

Special precautions are also taken on the day of polling.

In reality, 90 minutes before the commencement of polling, a mock poll is conducted after casting at least 50 votes at each booth. After this, the electronic results of the control unit and the count of VVPAT slips are shown by matching. Immediately after this the clear button of the control unit is pressed so that the data of mock voting is erased. Actually the control unit controls the voting process. It is operated by the Presiding Officer or the First Polling Officer.

This makes it clear that no vote is recorded in the control unit. The presiding officer puts the slips used in the mock voting in separate marked covers beforehand before the commencement of the actual voting. In fact, before the commencement of voting, the EVM and VVPAT are sealed in the presence of the polling agent.

EVM and VVPAT storage in strong room

A copy of Form 17-C containing the details of total votes polled, seal (distinctive number), voting center and serial numbers of VVPAT is given to the polling agent of the candidates on the day of poll. Immediately after the voting is over, the EVM and VVPAT are sealed in their respective Carrying Cases in the presence of the polling agent. The signature of the polling agent is taken on this seal.

In fact, according to the Election Commission of India, in Form 17C, the number of EVM machine used in voting, the number of polling booth, the total number of votes cast and the number of remaining votes have to be filled. Along with this, arrangements have been made to give a certified copy of it to the polling agent.

In Part-2 of this form, the votes cast by the candidates are recorded. It also has the signature of the counting agent. EVMs and VVPATs used in voting are taken under strict guard to be stored in strong room in double lock system with videography in the presence of candidates and their representatives. Candidates or their representatives can also stay in front of the strong room.

There is a strong guard of the strong room for 24 hours

The strong room is well equipped with all the modern facilities of security. This room is under 24X7 surveillance in multiple levels with CCTV facilities.

This is how EVMs are brought to counting centers

On the day of counting, the strong room is opened with videography in the presence of candidates, ROs and observers. The EVMs containing the votes are brought to the counting centers in the presence of the candidates and their agents with full security under CCTV coverage.

The round wise Control Unit (CU) is brought from the strong room to the tables under continuous CCTV surveillance. On the day of counting, before receiving the results from the control unit, the contesting candidates verify the seal in front of the deputy, that is, the appointed counting agent. During this the unique serial numbers of CUs are matched.

Now comes the turn of counting

On the day of counting, the counting agent can verify the votes shown in the CU under Form 17C. The EVMs and VVPATs are stored back in the strong room in the presence of candidates and their agents till the time for filing petitions challenging the results of elections is over.

VVPAT paper slips verification is necessary in 3 states of North East

The Supreme Court of India, in an order dated 08 April 2019, has mandated the Election Commission (to be followed compulsorily) for the Legislative Assemblies of Meghalaya, Nagaland and Tripura. Under this, the Returning Officer will count the VVPAT slips of five (5) randomly selected polling stations in each constituency of the Meghalaya, Nagaland and Tripura Legislative Assemblies through draw of lots in the presence of the candidates for verification of the results received from the Control Unit. To be.

This mandatory verification of VVPAT slip count of five (5) polling stations in each Assembly Constituency will be in addition to the provisions of Rule 56(D) of the Conduct of Elections Rules, 1961.

NOTA option is always there

Elections will always have the option of ‘None of the Above’ i.e. (NOTA) in EVM VVPAT and Postal Ballot as usual. The balloting units will have a NOTA option button below the name of the last candidate so that those voters who do not want to vote for any candidate can use it. Similarly, there will be NOTA panel after the name of the last candidate on the postal ballot. NOTA symbol will be given in front of the NOTA panel. This symbol has a cross in a square box.

Photo of candidates is also necessary on EVM ballot paper

In order to facilitate the voters to identify the candidates, the Commission has added the provision of printing the photograph of the contesting candidates on the ballot paper to be displayed on the EVM (Ballot Unit) and also on the postal ballot paper. This will help the voter in those situations when candidates with the same name have entered the fray. This is the reason why the commission has asked all the contesting candidates to provide their recent stamp size photograph to the returning officer.