ECI Issues New Directive To Streamline Vote Counting Process

The Election Commission of India (ECI) on Thursday unveiled its 30th major reform in the last six months, a new directive designed to streamline the vote counting process, especially for postal ballots.

The ECI stated in a press note that the new measure aims to reduce delays, ensure greater clarity, and bring uniformity in the counting of votes. The step comes in response to a sharp rise in postal ballots, driven by initiatives such as home voting for Persons with Disabilities (PwDs) and senior citizens above 85 years.

Under the new rule, the poll body directed that the penultimate (second last) round of Electronic Voting Machine (EVM)/VVPAT counting will only begin after the completion of postal ballot counting at the counting centre.

The ECI further instructed Returning Officers (ROs) to deploy sufficient tables and counting staff wherever postal ballots are large in number, to avoid delays and ensure efficiency.

Broader Push for Electoral Reforms

The directive on postal ballots is part of a wider series of 29 electoral reforms implemented over the past half-year. These reforms include:

• Mobile deposit facility for voters.
• Delisting of 808 Registered Unrecognised Political Parties (RUPPs).
• Capping polling stations at not more than 1,200 electors to reduce crowding.
• Issuing Standard Photo ID Cards to Booth Level Officers (BLOs).
• Conducting 4,719 all-party meetings across EROs, DEOs, and CEOs.
• Launching the ECINET digital platform to enhance transparency.

The ECI emphasised that the latest directive on postal ballots reflects its continued commitment to improving efficiency, ensuring transparency, and strengthening voter confidence in the electoral system.

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