The Election Commission has decided to further streamline the process of counting of Postal Ballots to reduce delays and enhance clarity. In a statement, the commission said that the penultimate or the second last round of EVM or VVPATs counting shall be taken up only after the counting of Postal Ballot Papers is completed, at the counting centre.
The commission said that earlier, counting of postal ballots generally gets completed before counting of EVMs. It said that the decision has been made to ensure uniformity and utmost clarity in the counting process. The commission said that it has already taken 29 significant initiatives during the past six months aimed at streamlining and improving the electoral process
The Commission has also directed that in cases where there are a large number of postal ballots, the Returning Officers are to ensure that sufficient numbers of tables and counting staff are in place so there is no delay and the counting process is further streamlined.
