How are votes counted? An overview.

Here is a brief overview of the counting process:

• Under Rule 54 A of the Conduct of Elections Rules 1961, the counting of postal ballot papers shall be started first at the Returning Officer's (RO) table.
• Only such postal ballot papers shall be taken up for counting which are received by the RO before the hour fixed for the commencement of counting.
• After 30 minutes of the commencement of counting of postal ballots, the counting of votes from EVMs should be started.
• Counting of votes from EVMs can begin on scheduled time if there is no postal ballot paper in the constituency.
• Only Control Unit (CU) of the EVM used in polling station is required for counting of votes along with Form 17C.
• Before ascertaining the result from CUs of EVMs, counting officials shall ensure that the paper seal on them is intact and total votes polled tally with those mentioned in Form 17C.

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