The counting of votes for the assembly elections in Jammu and Kashmir and Haryana has been started at 8.00 AM. The Jammu and Kashmir assembly election, held for 90 constituencies, took place in three phases on September 18, 25, and October 1. In Haryana, polling for the 90 assembly seats concluded on October 5.
The counting of votes in Haryana will also commence at 8 a.m., with postal ballots being counted first, followed by EVM counting 30 minutes later. Haryana’s Chief Electoral Officer, Pankaj Agarwal, stated that 93 counting centres have been established across 22 districts for the 90 assembly constituencies. “Two counting centres each have been set up for the Badshahpur, Gurugram, and Pataudi assembly constituencies, while one counting centre has been established for the remaining 87 assembly constituencies, where the counting will take place,” Agarwal explained. To oversee the process, the Election Commission has appointed 90 counting observers.
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Comprehensive security measures have been implemented for the counting. A total of 30 companies of Central Armed Police Forces have been deployed at the 93 centres, which are under a three-tier security system. The innermost layer is guarded by central security forces, followed by state-armed police, with district police personnel in the outermost cover. Around 12,000 police officers are on duty at the centres across the state. “Adequate checkpoints have been set up within a 100-meter perimeter of each counting centre,” Agarwal added, noting that CCTV cameras have been installed in all 90 strong rooms housing the EVMs to monitor activities closely.
A meeting was held to review the counting preparations, where Deputy Commissioners and District Election Officers were briefed on ensuring a smooth process on October 8. “Accurate information on each round of counting will be uploaded in a timely manner,” the official release mentioned.
In Jammu, security has been heightened at a counting centre ahead of the vote count. On counting day, the strong rooms will be opened in the presence of candidates, their representatives, Returning Officers (ROs)/Assistant Returning Officers (AROs), and Election Commission observers. Videography will document the process. Mobile phones are prohibited inside the counting centres, and only authorized personnel and officials are permitted in or around the centres. The public and political representatives have been urged not to gather at the counting centres and to check the results at home, which will be available on the Election Commission of India’s website and the Voter Helpline App. Media centres have also been set up to provide the press with the latest updates, and social media will be monitored to prevent the spread of any rumors.
In Jammu and Kashmir, Chief Electoral Officer PK Pole confirmed that CCTV cameras have been installed in each counting hall to maintain records. “Counting will begin at 7:30 a.m. for postal ballots and 8 a.m. for EVMs. Polls were held peacefully, and no candidate or political party faced any kind of difficulty. Violence-free public participation was witnessed,” Pole told ANI.
“Postal ballots will be counted first, after which EVM counting will begin. In every district headquarters, counting centres have been set up. Counting of territorial polling stations will be done in 25 locations and counting of migrant polling stations will be done in 3 locations. All arrangements have been made. Candidates have also given information about their counting agents. EVMs are kept in a triple layer security. The outermost layer consists of police, the middle layer is guarded by the CAPF, and the inner layer consists of a dedicated section which mans the counting centre round the clock,” Pole added.
Exit polls have suggested that Congress is expected to win Haryana, while the National Conference-Congress alliance holds an advantage in Jammu and Kashmir. The election results are likely to reflect the political mood as parties prepare for upcoming contests in Maharashtra and Jharkhand.
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