In the States of Assam, Kerala, Tamil Nadu, West Bengal and the Union Territory of Puducherry, all necessary preparations are being finalised for the counting of votes in respect of General Elections to the Legislative Assemblies tomorrow. In addition, the counting of votes for the simultaneous By-polls to four Lok Sabha seats and 12 Assembly seats in different states will also be taken up together. The counting process will begin at 8.00 A.M.
The counting trends and results will be available on the Election Commission website and will be updated every few minutes to display the current round wise trends and results of each constituency. The trends and results will also accessible through the “Voter helpline” Mobile App. In view of the second wave of pandemic and with a view to ensure a completely COVID safe arrangements during counting, the Election Commission has rolled out strict COVID protocols for the counting day.
The District Election Officer has been appointed as the Nodal Officer at each Counting Centre to ensure adherence to the COVID-19 related norms at the centre. Local Health Authorities have also been mandated to issue compliance certificate in respect of the counting centres.
As per the safety measures, no candidates or poll agents will be allowed inside the counting hall without undergoing RT-PCR or Rapid Antigen Test. However, those who have been administered both the doses of COVID vaccination have been allowed. The Commission has also prohibited public gathering outside the counting venue during the process of counting.
The counting Hall will be sufficiently big to maintain social distancing and will have proper ventilation, windows, exhaust fan etc. The counting centres will be disinfected before, during and after the counting. Sealed outer boxes of EVM/VVPAT shall also be sanitized /disinfected. The number of counting tables will be allowed in a counting hall as per the size of the hall and keeping in view safety norms prescribed for COVID-19.
At the entry of hall/ room/ premises thermal scanning of all persons will be carried out and sanitizer, soap and water will be made available. No one having any symptom of COVID-19 like fever, cold will be allowed to enter in the Counting Hall. The candidate will be allowed to appoint/replace the Counting Agents in the case the report is positive. Social distancing will be maintained inside Counting Hall, the seating arrangement of Counting Personnel/Agents etc. will be made as per COVID-19 guidelines of NDMA/SDMA. There will be a sufficient number of PPE Kit for Counting Agents/Candidates.
Masks, Sanitizer, Face-Shields and Gloves will be provided to every counting official and security personnel. For counting of Postal Ballots, an additional number of AROs will be deputed. If required, Postal Ballots will also be counted in a separate hall under the supervision of the Returning Officer or Assistant Returning Officer. As per the government guidelines, there will be proper arrangement of disposal of COVID related wastage including used Mask, Face Shield, PPE Kit and Gloves.
The Election Commission has already banned all victory processions on or after the day of counting of votes for assembly polls in these states. Not more than two people will be allowed to accompany the winning candidates to receive the certificate of election from the concerned Returning Officer.