GG News Bureau
New Delhi, 25th Sept: The Election Commission of India (ECI) on Thursday announced fresh measures to tighten the counting of postal ballots, making it the 30th reform in six months aimed at improving electoral procedures.
Under the new rule, the second-last round of Electronic Voting Machine (EVM) counting will begin only after all postal ballots, including Electronically Transmitted Postal Ballots (ETPBs), are fully counted. Until now, EVM counting could continue irrespective of postal ballot progress, occasionally finishing before postal ballot tallying was done.
The change follows a sharp rise in postal ballots, driven by home-voting options for persons with disabilities and senior citizens above 85. Counting of postal ballots starts at 8 a.m., while EVM counting begins at 8:30 a.m.
The Commission directed Returning Officers to deploy adequate tables and staff where postal ballots are high in number to avoid delays. “Uniformity and utmost clarity in the counting process are paramount,” the ECI said.
Reform Drive
This move adds to 29 initiatives rolled out in the last half-year, spanning voter convenience, stronger electoral rolls, technology upgrades, and capacity building. Key steps include:
- Mobile deposit facilities and redesigned voter slips for ease on polling day.
- 100% webcasting of polling stations and live turnout updates via the ECINET app.
- Linking death registration data to clean voter rolls and eliminating duplicate EPIC numbers.
- Doubling remuneration for booth-level officers and enhancing staff training.
By reinforcing the postal ballot process, the Commission aims to ensure greater transparency and accuracy in vote counting as India prepares for upcoming state and national elections.
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