Counting of votes usually starts at eight in the morning.
As soon as the counting of votes for West Bengal, Tamil Nadu, Assam, Kerala and Puducherry assembly elections is over, the results will come by this evening. The Election Commission of India has finalized its preparations. Political parties have also geared up. Arrangements for laddus and firecrackers have been completed. While the security forces protected the EVMs day and night, the political parties also left no stone unturned. They are also continuously monitoring the sealed EVMs and strong rooms.Come, on this pretext, let us know what is the entire process from counting of votes to declaration of the winner? How are all things decided?
The Election Commission of India has kept the election process very organized. Every step from counting of votes to declaring the winner is bound by rules. The Election Commission of India monitors this entire process. This process ensures transparency and fairness. Many times in our country, losing parties or candidates raise questions on the system and demand re-counting, sometimes the District Election Officer also orders re-counting as per the demand. All this so that the sanctity of the elections is maintained. This is very important in democracy.
How is the preparation for counting of votes done?
A day before the counting of votes, the District Election Officer decides everything under the supervision of election observers. Which officer, which employee will be on duty for which work, at what time will they reach the counting centre? Everything is already decided. Political parties do the same. They also deploy their representatives at the counting centres. The Election Commission ensures all this so that transparency is maintained.
After voting, all EVMs and VVPAT machines are kept in a secure strong room. These rooms are protected by central forces. Representatives of the candidates can also monitor. On the day of counting, the seal on the strong room is checked. There is a tradition of conducting this investigation under the supervision of political parties as per the guidelines of the Election Commission.
This is how the counting center is arranged.
There is a provision to set up a counting center at one place in almost every district. There are many tables at every centre.A counting supervisor and assistant are deployed at each table. Micro observers are deployed at every table. Strict security arrangements are made here also. Only authorized people get access to the counter. According to the guidelines of the Election Commission, identity card is mandatory for everyone, whether government employees or representatives of political parties.
Counting of votes starts at 8 am
Counting of votes usually starts at eight in the morning. As per rules, postal ballot is counted first. After this the counting of EVMs starts. Votes from different machines are counted in each round. Results are recorded after each round. Candidates’ agents can oversee this process.
Security guard outside a counting center in West Bengal.
Postal ballot has great importance
Postal ballot includes military, government employees and service voters. These are counted first. If the number of postal ballots is high, it may affect the results. According to the rules of the Election Commission, checking of every ballot is necessary. The results of postal ballot are declared first. This is where lead generation begins.
What is the mathematics of counting votes from EVM?
The votes recorded in EVM are taken out from the control unit. Every machine shows a fixed number of votes. This process is completed in several rounds. The total votes are added after each round. The candidate who gets the most votes remains ahead.
Why is matching of VVPAT necessary?
As per the instructions of the Election Commission, matching of VVPAT is necessary. At least five VVPAT slips are counted in every assembly constituency. This matching is done to increase transparency. If any discrepancy is found, action is taken as per the rules. This process is done after the counting of postal ballots and EVMs is completed.
Soldiers patrolling in West Bengal.
Initial trends and final results
Trends start coming after the initial round. The media shows these, but these are not the final results. The picture becomes clearer with each round. The final results are declared only after all the rounds are completed. The candidate who gets the most valid votes is the winner. This rule is enforced by the Election Commission of India.
What happens in case of tie?
If two candidates have equal votes, there is a procedure for this also as per the rules of the Election Commission. Lottery or draw can be done as per the rules of the Election Commission. This process has been made completely transparent.
What are the provisions for recount?
Candidates can, and do, demand recounts. But it is not necessary that the election officials accept every demand. If the Commission finds the demand justified then a recount is conducted. There are many examples for this. This rule is also included in the guidelines of the Election Commission.
When and how will the final winner be announced?
When the final winner is declared only after all the rounds of counting are completed. The returning officer officially declares the victory of a candidate and the winning candidate is immediately given a certificate.
How does the Commission determine transparency?
Transparency is maintained in the entire process. CCTV cameras and observers are present. Election Commission officials keep an eye on every step. Candidates’ agents also monitor the process. The process from counting of votes to declaration of the winner is very clear. Rules are followed at every stage. The Election Commission of India makes this process fair. This maintains the strength of democracy.
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