Congress questions new rule on counting agents, ECI responds
What's the story
Congress leader Ajay Maken expressed concerns on Saturday over a new rule that prevents candidates' counting agents from being present at the Assistant Returning Officer (ARO) tables during the vote counting process on June 4.
Maken, who has contested nine elections in the past, stated on social media platform X that this is happening for the first time.
He urged the Election Commission of India (ECI) to address this issue, which he believes is "bigger than the alleged EVM rigging."
Guidelines released
ECI responds to Maken's concerns, releases guidelines
Responding to Maken's concerns, the Chief Electoral of Delhi clarified that counting candidates' agents will be permitted at the RO/ARO tables.
The ECI has also issued a comprehensive set of guidelines for poll officials to follow on June 4, when votes for the Lok Sabha elections will be counted.
These guidelines mandate full compliance with existing rules for counting arrangements in and around counting centers before vote counting begins.
Counting protocol
ECI guidelines ensure strict compliance and order
The ECI guidelines also state that no unauthorized person should be present in the counting hall.
Under Rule 53(4), the Returning Officer (RO) has the authority to direct anyone to leave if they fail to obey lawful directions.
The guidelines further specify that only those postal ballot papers received by the RO before the scheduled start time for counting will be considered.
Election
Elections were held from April 19-June 1
Elections for the 543-member Lok Sabha were held simultaneously with assembly elections in Sikkim, Arunachal Pradesh, Odisha, and Andhra Pradesh.
The lengthy voting process began on April 19 and ended on June 1.
Several exit polls conducted after the final phase of voting predicted a landslide victory for the Prime Minister Narendra Modi government.
Two exit polls predicted that the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) would increase its seats from the 303 it won in the 2019 Lok Sabha elections.