Chief Electoral Officer on Press Conference
TFP Bureau, Raipur; Dec 2, 2023: As the anticipation builds for the results of the Assembly Elections-2023, the Chief Electoral Officer detailed the meticulous procedures that will unfold during the counting of votes, emphasizing transparency, discipline, and adherence to regulations.
Key Points Shared in the Briefing:
- Commencement of the counting process will witness the reading of Section 128 of the Public Representation Act 1951, emphasizing the importance of maintaining the secrecy of voting.
- The counting of votes will kick off promptly at 8 am across all assembly constituencies, with the initial focus on the counting of postal ballots by each returning officer in the designated counting hall.
- Subsequent to the postal ballot count, the counting of votes recorded in EVMs will commence 30 minutes later.
- A systematic approach will be followed with 14 tables assigned for the counting of votes cast in EVMs in each assembly constituency phase.
- Stringent measures to uphold discipline and dignity within the counting hall, allowing the Returning Officer to take action against any violation of prescribed protocols.
- Display of the control unit’s panel to all candidates/counting agents at the moment of pressing the result button, ensuring transparency in the process.
- Distribution of Part 2 of Form 17C to each counting agent at every stage of counting, with acknowledgment taken.
- Counting observers facilitating additional viewings of the EVM result if requested by counting agents.
- Mandatory verification of VVPAT paper slips from five randomly selected polling stations after the final stage of counting, enhancing the credibility of the process.
- Declaration of results by the Returning Officer after counting the votes of all polling stations in the assembly constituency, followed by the presentation of the election certificate to the elected candidate.
- Round-wise results for each assembly constituency will be accessible from 8 am on the counting day through the official Election Commission website http://(https://results.eci.gov.in) and the Voter Helpline App.
These measures are integral to ensuring a fair and transparent electoral process, reinforcing the commitment to democracy and the sanctity of the voting process.
