Indian National Congress Party leader Ajay Maken on June 1 accused the vote-counting process for the 2024 Lok Sabha elections of “massive irregularities” and alleged that for the first time, “candidates’ vote-counting agents” will not be allowed to take the seat of Assistant Election Officers (AROs).
However, in response to Maken’s allegations, the Delhi Election Commission Secretariat clarified that “counters” are permitted to sit in the seats of Election Officers and Deputy Election Officers.
Also read: 2024 Lok Sabha Elections Results to be Announced Tomorrow: How to Check?
The allegations and clarifications came on a day when the final stages of elections were underway and just hours after most exit polls were predicting a historic triple victory for Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s National Democratic Alliance (NDA) government.
The issue highlights the crucial role of “counters” whose duties remain to be played out until the final stage of the election, the counting day on June 4. Their presence and oversight is essential to ensure a fair and transparent vote-counting process. Who are these counters and what is their role? LiveMint explains:
Counting agent?
On election day, the votes will be counted in the presence of the candidates and their representatives by, or under the supervision and direction of, the election official for each congressional district.
By law, deputy election officials are empowered to count votes, which may be done simultaneously in several locations or at several tables in the same location.
Also read: Rahul Gandhi grew and shaved his beard on my advice, claims Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma
As it is not expected that candidates or their election agents will be physically present at each polling station and at the counting tables, the law allows candidates to appoint counting agents, who may be present at the counting centres and at the counting tables.
role?
Since the canvassers are representatives of the candidates, their cooperation makes the job of the canvassing supervisors and canvassing assistants easier.
Vote counters must be familiar with the rules and procedures for conducting an election using voting machines.
These deputies must also be familiar with the operation of voting machines and, for this purpose, they will attend demonstrations of voting machines arranged by election officials.
Who can be a counting agent?
The law does not prescribe any specific qualifications for people to be appointed as canvassers, but the Election Commission of India’s “Casualty Scrutineers” handbook advises candidates to appoint “mature and competent persons” as canvassers to ensure that their interests are properly looked after.
No sitting Minister of the Union or State Government, sitting Member of Parliament, sitting Member of the Legislative Assembly/Legislation Council or any other person with security guards will be allowed to act as election agent, polling agent or vote counting agent for any candidate during the election period.
How many counting agents can a candidate have?
Each candidate may appoint as many Scrutineers as there are ballot counters, plus one more to monitor the vote count at the Election Officer’s table. The Election Commission of India has stated that each polling station may have only 14 tables for vote counting in addition to one table for the Scrutineers.
Also read: Lok Sabha election results: BJP plans ahead of stunning victory ₹As per reports, the decorations, sound and light show will cost Rs 21.97 lakh.
Thus, the maximum number of counting clerks that a candidate can appoint should normally not exceed 15 and the number of counting tables, including the election officer’s table, should normally not exceed 15.
However, the Election Commission may, by general or special direction, permit the Election Commissioner to set up more than 15 tables.
How are counting agents appointed?
The agent is appointed in Form 18 attached to the Commissioner of Elections Rules, 1961. The name and address of the counting agent are to be filled in the form and the candidate or his election agent shall personally sign the form.
The Scrutineers will also sign the form to indicate their acceptance of their appointment. A candidate may appoint all his or her Scrutineers in one appointment letter in Form 18, in which case all the Scrutineers must sign the appointment letter to indicate their acceptance of their appointments.
You are on Mint! India’s No.1 News Site (Source: Press Gazette). For more of our business coverage and market insights, click here!
