ECI makes key change in vote counting process ahead of high stakes poll battle in Bihar

The Election Commission of India (ECI) on Thursday announced another major change in the electoral process, this time focusing on the counting of postal ballots.

The move comes as part of the Commission’s 30th initiative in the last six months to streamline voting and counting procedures, just months before the high stakes Bihar assembly elections.

Currently, the counting of votes has two parallel components: postal ballots/Electronically Transmitted Postal Ballots (ETPBs) and Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs).


On counting day, postal ballot counting begins at 8:00 am, followed by EVM counting at 8:30 am. Under earlier rules, EVM counting could proceed even if postal ballot counting was not yet complete, raising the possibility of results being declared before postal ballot scrutiny was over.

In view of the sharp rise in postal ballots following recent initiatives for home voting by Persons with Disabilities and citizens aged 85 and above, the Election Commission has introduced new measures to ensure uniformity and clarity.

Going forward, the penultimate round of EVM and VVPAT counting will only take place after the completion of postal ballot counting at centers where the latter is underway.

The ECI has also directed Returning Officers (ROs) to deploy sufficient tables and counting staff wherever the number of postal ballots is high, so that the process is not delayed.

The latest step builds on a series of reforms aimed at enhancing efficiency, transparency and credibility in India’s electoral system, according to ECI.

A wave of reforms in six months

The latest directive is part of a larger wave of reforms the ECI has rolled out in recent months. These span six broad areas:

Convenience of electors: Mobile deposit facilities for postal ballots at polling stations, limiting electors per booth to 1,200 to reduce crowding, redesigned voter information slips, and colour photos of candidates on EVMs for greater clarity. Candidate booths have also been permitted just beyond 100 meters of polling stations for voter facilitation.

Strengthening electoral systems: The ECI has delisted 808 registered unrecognised political parties (RUPPs) for failing to meet registration conditions, mapped roles of 28 key stakeholders, issued standard photo ID cards to Booth Level Officers (BLOs), and introduced new SOPs for verification of EVM microcontrollers. Legal capacity has been boosted through a national conference with counsels and bilateral engagement with global election management bodies.

Engagement with political parties: More than 4,700 all-party meetings have been conducted nationwide, and 25 meetings held with recognised national and state parties.

Enhanced use of technology: The launch of ECINET, a one-stop digital platform consolidating over 40 applications, has enabled 100% webcasting of polling stations and live turnout reporting via a new mobile app. Streamlined data generation for constituency-level reports and mandatory VVPAT counting in case of mismatches have also been introduced.

Purity of electoral rolls: Special intensive revisions in Bihar, linking of death registration data, elimination of duplicate EPIC numbers, and a new SOP for speedy EPIC delivery with SMS tracking are among measures aimed at ensuring clean rolls.

Capacity building: Training initiatives have been expanded to over 7,000 BLOs and supervisors, Booth Level Agents (BLAs), media officers, and police personnel, with enhanced remuneration for polling and counting staff, central forces, and observers.