Chief Electoral Officer Reena Baba Saheb Kangale announced the completion of all arrangements for the vote counting process in Chhattisgarh. In a press conference held in Raipur today, Kangale confirmed the readiness of 90 assembly constituencies for the upcoming assembly elections’ vote counting scheduled for Sunday.
Kangale disclosed the deployment of a significant workforce, stating that 90 returning officers, 416 assistant returning officers, 4596 counting personnel, and 1698 microobservers have been appointed for the meticulous vote tallying process. Furthermore, 90 counting observers, appointed by the Election Commission of India (ECI), will oversee the counting procedures across the state’s constituencies.
Elaborating on the security measures, Kangale highlighted the stringent protocols set in place. Each counting hall will feature segregated entrances for candidates, counting agents, and election officials. Identity cards have been issued to candidates and their electoral agents, with strict restrictions on mobile phones within the counting halls. The officer stressed the prohibition of electronic devices, pan masala, and cigarettes inside these premises.
Security arrangements have been layered into a three-tier system, ensuring thorough checks at each level of entry. The entire counting process will be filmed to ensure transparency and monitor the proceedings.
The counting procedure will commence at 8 a.m., starting first with the counting of postal ballots, followed by EVM counting after a 30-minute interval. Each assembly constituency will host vote counting on 14 tables, except for six assembly seats, including Pandariya, Kakyon, Sargarh, Milaiger, Kasdol, and Mastapur-Sonhat, which will employ 21 tables for the same process.
Chhattisgarh witnessed elections in two phases on November 7 and 17, and the vote counting is anticipated to proceed smoothly with stringent security measures and an ample workforce ready to ensure a fair and efficient process.