Gandhinagar: A review meeting was conducted via video conference, chaired by Chief Electoral Officer Mrs. P. Bharti, regarding the counting of votes for the Lok Sabha General Election 2024 and Gujarat Assembly by-elections. In this meeting, the State Police Nodal Officer and all District Election Officers discussed arrangements for the counting of votes to be held on June 4, 2024, across the 26 counting centers in the state.

Regarding this, Bharti stated that all the counting stations in the state have completed the necessary preparations. On June 4, 2024, at 8 a.m., the counting of votes will commence at 26 centers across the state. Counting will take place at two counting centers in the Anand Lok Sabha constituency and one counting center in each of the other Lok Sabha constituencies simultaneously.

Furthermore, Mrs. P. Bharti mentioned that 56 counting observers, 30 election officers, and 180 assistant election officers will be on duty for the entire counting process. Additionally, approximately 614 additional assistant election officers have been assigned responsibilities for postal ballots and electronically transmitted postal ballot systems. By June 2, all observers for the counting of votes will be present at their designated locations.

Mrs. P. Bharti outlined that the first randomization of the counting staff will occur a week before, the second randomization 24 hours before the counting, and the third randomization at 5 a.m. on the day of counting in the presence of observers. Each counting table will have one micro-observer, one counting supervisor, and one counting assistant. Furthermore, two micro-observers will be stationed in the counting hall, and the entire process will be videographed.

Only officers, authorized observers, on-duty staff, candidates, their election agents, and counting agents authorized by the Election Commission of India will be permitted to enter the counting stations. Additionally, media personnel with authorization from the Election Commission of India will have access.

The strongroom will be opened in the presence of the election officer or assistant election officer, candidates or their authorized representatives, and observers appointed by the Election Commission of India. Subsequently, the EVMs will be taken out roundwise and brought to the counting hall, with the counting of postal ballots and EVM votes commencing at 8 a.m..

A three-tier security system has been ensured at all counting centers, with local police deployed outside the campus, SRPF presence at the counting location, and CAPF stationed outside the counting center and strongroom door. Only officials on duty and authorized political representatives will be allowed entry into the complex.

All counting centers are equipped with modern communication facilities like computers, the internet, landline telephones, and fax machines. However, electronic devices like mobile phones, iPads, or laptops are prohibited inside the counting center, except for observers of the Commission. Returning Officers, Assistant Returning Officers, or Counting Supervisors may carry mobile phones to the counting center in silent mode with prior permission for obtaining the OTP required in the counting process of ETPBS. Additionally, a media center has been set up at each polling center, where mobile phone usage is permitted.

Election results will be available on https://results.eci.gov.in/ on the day of counting. A media center will be established in the committee room on the fourth floor of block no. 1 of the new secretariat to provide state-level media workers with result details. DeshGujarat