Have All Arrangements for the Counting of Bihar Polls Been Finalized?
Synopsis
Key Takeaways
- Counting of votes begins at 8:00 a.m.
- 4,372 counting tables established.
- 18,000 counting agents to ensure transparency.
- Results to be published round-wise.
- Official results available on ECI's portal.
Patna, Nov 13 (NationPress) The Election Commission of India (ECI) has finalized all preparations for the vote counting of the Bihar Assembly elections, set to take place on November 14.
Vote counting will occur in all 243 Assembly constituencies throughout the state.
As per officials, 243 Returning Officers (ROs) will supervise the counting process, supported by 243 Counting Observers, in the presence of contesting candidates and their authorized representatives.
In total, 4,372 counting tables have been established, with each table staffed by a counting supervisor, assistant, and micro-observer.
More than 18,000 counting agents appointed by candidates will be present to monitor the counting, ensuring transparency and fairness.
The counting process is scheduled to commence at 8:00 a.m. with postal ballots, followed by the counting of Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) at 8:30 a.m.
The ECI has mandated that postal ballot counting must be finished before the final phases of EVM counting.
During the EVM counting, Control Units will be made available to counting agents to verify that seals are intact and that serial numbers match those documented in Form 17C (Part I).
The votes recorded in the EVMs will be cross-verified against Form 17C entries. In the event of any discrepancies, VVPAT slips from the relevant polling station must be counted.
Once EVM counting is complete, a random selection of five polling stations per constituency will be conducted for VVPAT verification.
The slips will be reconciled with the EVM results in the presence of candidates and their counting agents.
The final results will be compiled and disseminated round-wise and constituency-wise by the respective ROs.
Official results can be accessed on the ECI’s results portal — https://results.eci.gov.in.
The Commission has urged the public and media to depend solely on the official ECI portal for reliable updates, cautioning against misinformation from unofficial channels.
Television channels and digital media platforms have also been advised to maintain accuracy in their reporting.