What Are the Key Arrangements for Counting Votes in Bihar Assembly Elections 2025?
Synopsis
Key Takeaways
- 4,372 counting tables set up for the election.
- Over 18,000 counting agents involved in the process.
- Counting begins at 8 a.m. on November 14.
- Voter turnout of 67.13 percent.
- Zero repolls requested.
New Delhi, Nov 13 (NationPress) The Election Commission of India (ECI) declared extensive preparations for the counting of votes in the Bihar Assembly Elections 2025, set for Friday, November 14. This event marks a historic milestone featuring zero repolls and unprecedented voter participation.
On counting day, meticulous arrangements have been established across all 243 Assembly constituencies.
Counting will proceed under the guidance of 243 Returning Officers along with an equal number of Counting Observers.
“A total of 4,372 counting tables have been established, each staffed with a counting supervisor, a counting assistant, and a micro-observer. Additionally, over 18,000 Counting Agents appointed by candidates will supervise the counting process,” the ECI stated in its press release on Thursday.
The counting process is set to commence at 8 a.m. on Friday, starting with postal ballots, followed by Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) at 8:30 a.m.
Each EVM's control unit will undergo verification for seal integrity and will be matched with Form 17C records. Should discrepancies arise, VVPAT slips will be counted.
“The votes recorded in EVMs will be cross-verified with the entries in Form 17C. In cases of any mismatch, VVPAT slips from that polling station will be counted as required,” the ECI added.
“After the EVM counting is completed, five polling stations will be randomly selected per constituency for VVPAT verification. The slips will be matched with EVM results in the presence of candidates and their counting agents,” it further elaborated.
With a voter turnout of 67.13 percent, the highest since 1951, the Commission noted that no repoll was requested by any of the 2,616 candidates or the 12 recognized political parties participating in the elections.
Officials hailed this as an unprecedented achievement in electoral management, highlighting the voters' confidence in the electoral process.
Equally remarkable, the Commission reported zero appeals during the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of the electoral rolls across all 38 districts, encompassing 7.45 crore electors in the final list.
This, according to the ECI, reflects the accuracy and credibility of the voter registration process.