NEW DELHI: Election Commission on Monday rejected the INDIA bloc’s demand to revert to the old system of counting of postal ballots prior to the last round of EVM counting, saying that counting rules could not be changed mid-course.
As per rules, postal ballot counting must start first. After half an hour, EVM counting can start. “This happened in 2019 and all 21-22 state elections held thereafter, but no challenge was raised then.It happened yesterday also in Arunachal Pradesh and Sikkim. We cannot change this mid-course,” chief election commissioner Rajiv Kumar said.
He added that since the number of postal ballots was less for a majority of constituencies across the country, it normally wound up earlier than the last round of EVM count. The CEC said postal ballots, EVM votes and VVPAT slips matching could go on simultaneously as this was as per rules.
Stating that Rule 54A of Conduct of Election Rules was enacted when postal ballots were very few in number, Kumar said the situation now was different as postal ballot facility had been extended to senior citizens, persons with disabilities and mediapersons on election duty. “For inclusive elections, it is necessary that we extend this facility. Essential services should be added, like nurses, doctors. We had even talked of remote voting, though the time for that has not yet come,” he said.
Kumar, however, assured everyone that counting would be as per the rulebook and would be held in the presence of candidates, counting agents and observers. “The counting processes are robust and work like clockwork. There cannot be any errors,” he said, adding that even human error, if any, would be dealt with.
As per rules, postal ballot counting must start first. After half an hour, EVM counting can start. “This happened in 2019 and all 21-22 state elections held thereafter, but no challenge was raised then.It happened yesterday also in Arunachal Pradesh and Sikkim. We cannot change this mid-course,” chief election commissioner Rajiv Kumar said.
He added that since the number of postal ballots was less for a majority of constituencies across the country, it normally wound up earlier than the last round of EVM count. The CEC said postal ballots, EVM votes and VVPAT slips matching could go on simultaneously as this was as per rules.
Stating that Rule 54A of Conduct of Election Rules was enacted when postal ballots were very few in number, Kumar said the situation now was different as postal ballot facility had been extended to senior citizens, persons with disabilities and mediapersons on election duty. “For inclusive elections, it is necessary that we extend this facility. Essential services should be added, like nurses, doctors. We had even talked of remote voting, though the time for that has not yet come,” he said.
Kumar, however, assured everyone that counting would be as per the rulebook and would be held in the presence of candidates, counting agents and observers. “The counting processes are robust and work like clockwork. There cannot be any errors,” he said, adding that even human error, if any, would be dealt with.