Stage set for counting of votes in five states

In five poll bound States-Goa, Manipur, Punjab, Uttar Pradesh and Uttarakhand, all the necessary preparations have been finalised for the counting of votes in respect of General Elections to Legislative Assemblies on Thursday. In addition, the counting of votes for the simultaneous By-Poll to Majuli Assembly seat in Assam will also be taken up together. The counting process will begin at 8.00 A.M. The counting trends and results will be available on the Election Commission website and will be updated every few minutes to display the current round wise trends and results of each constituency. The trends and results will also be accessible through the Voter helpline Mobile App.
In view of ongoing pandemic and so as to ensure completely COVID safe arrangements during counting, the Election Commission has rolled out strict COVID protocols for the Counting Day.  The District Election Officer has been appointed as the Nodal Officer at each Counting Centre to ensure adherence to the COVID-19 related norms. Local Health Authorities have also been mandated to issue compliance certificates in respect of the Counting Centres. At least 250 companies of the central police force have been deployed in UP for the counting day on Thursday. The security arrangements for the result day include 70,000 civil police personnel, 245 company paramilitary forces, and 69 PACs.      
 As per the safety measures, no candidates or poll agents will be allowed inside the Counting Hall without undergoing RT-PCR or Rapid Antigen Test. However, those who have been administered both the doses of COVID vaccination will be allowed. The Commission has also prohibited public gatherings outside the counting venue during the process of counting. The Counting Hall will be sufficiently big to maintain Social Distancing and will have proper ventilation, windows, exhaust fan etc. Not more than seven counting tables will be allowed in a Counting Hall. The Counting Centres will be disinfected before, during and after the counting. Sealed outer boxes of EVM/VVPAT shall also be sanitized or disinfected. The number of counting tables will be allowed in a Counting Hall as per the size of Hall and keeping in view safety norms prescribed for COVID-19.