For a country like India where each individual constituency can have lakhs of voters, counting votes is a complex process that requires both pace and precision.

Where are the Votes counted?

• Ideally, all votes should be counted in one location in the constituency.
• However, during General Elections, when seats are larger with multiple Assembly constituencies, many counting centres can be appointed, depending on the number of votes that need to be counted.
• The location(s) for counting votes is decided by the Returning Officer (RO), with multiple centres in assembly segments being under the supervision of the Assistant Returning Officers (ARO).
• In counting centres, ideally all votes are counted in one big hall having multiple tables.
• However, if the RO feels there is a risk of overcrowding, more rooms may be opened up after permission from the Election Commission (EC).

Role of Returning Officer

• The RO is appointed for each constituency by the Election Commission.
• During the duration of the election, the RO is the highest authority in the constituency having a wide range of powers in order to peacefully and impartially conduct elections.
• With respect to counting of votes, the RO has the following duties:

1. To designate the counting centres and get them approved by the Commission well in advance;
2. To send notice to the candidates about the place, date and time of counting of votes;
3. To appoint and train counting staff;
4. To count the votes and declare the result.

• ROs themselves do not count all votes but verify the counting at multiple stages and announce the results.
• They are the final authority in the matter of vote counting in an election.

Supervision of the process

• A counting room will have multiple counting tables with each counting a set number of postal ballots/EVMs on a round-to-round basis.
• On each table, there is a counting supervisor and up to two assistants who do the actual counting.
• They should be gazetted officers and are appointed by the RO.
• They receive specific training pertaining to the tasks they are expected to undertake.
• For instance, for those counting postal ballots, the training is different from that received for counting EVM votes.

Observers in the counting process

• The EC appoints observers at each counting room, who are supposed to record the proceedings and file a report.
• They are generally employees of the GoI, and are tasked with the duty to oversee overall functioning of the election apparatus.
• Candidates who were on the ballot are also allowed in the counting room along with their representatives.
• All parties and candidates send counting agents in order to ensure that votes are counted fairly and according to procedure, and lodge complaints, if any.

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