June 3rd 2024.
During a press conference held in New Delhi, Chief Election Commissioner Rajiv Kumar explained the process of counting votes as per the Conduct of Election Rules. He emphasized that the count of postal ballots will be the first priority across all counting centers, without a doubt.
In response to questions from reporters, Kumar clarified that the counting of postal ballots will begin half an hour before the counting of votes recorded in electronic voting machines (EVMs). This decision came after a delegation of opposition parties met with the Commission and requested that the postal ballot count should take precedence and its results should be announced first.
Kumar reiterated that the rules clearly state that postal ballot count should start first and this will be followed in all centers across the country. He also mentioned that this has been the procedure in previous elections, including the 2019 elections and all subsequent assembly polls. He further explained that in some recent elections, such as in Arunachal Pradesh and Sikkim, this process was followed as well. He emphasized that the Commission cannot change the rules midway and that this process is compliant with the rules.
He also stated that the process of counting postal ballots, followed by EVMs and then the matching of VVPAT slips with EVM results, will continue. He reassured that in most polling booths, the number of postal ballots is relatively low, which means that they will be counted quickly and the process will move on to the next stage.
Moreover, Kumar also highlighted that since 2019, VVPAT slips from five randomly selected polling stations per assembly constituency are matched with the EVM count to ensure transparency in the election process. This process will also be followed in the upcoming elections.
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