The Election Commission of India has finalized preparations for the crucial vote counting process in Bihar, scheduled for November 14. This comes after the completion of polling on Tuesday, marking a significant milestone in the state's electoral process.
Counting Centers Distribution Across Bihar
Forty-six counting centers have been established across 38 districts in Bihar to facilitate the vote counting process. According to the Election Commission data, Saharsa district leads with three counting centers, despite having only four assembly constituencies. Six districts - Gaya, Vaishali, Bhagalpur, Siwan, Purnia and East Champaran - have two counting centers each, while the remaining 31 districts will have one counting center each.
Comprehensive Security Measures Implemented
The Election Commission has implemented robust security protocols for the stored EVMs and VVPAT machines. Following the second phase of assembly elections, EVMs and VVPATs from 45,399 polling stations have been secured under a double-lock system at designated strongrooms throughout the state.
A comprehensive three-tier security arrangement has been established, with armed forces providing two-tier security specifically for the strongrooms. The Central Armed Police Force has been entrusted with the responsibility of inner security, while district police handle external security arrangements of the premises.
Transparency and Monitoring Protocols
The entire storage process was conducted with complete transparency, featuring videography and conducted in the presence of contesting candidates, election agents, and central observers. Additional security measures include 24-hour CCTV camera surveillance and other provisions to ensure the integrity of the electoral process.
Defective EVMs and VVPATs identified during mock polls have been stored separately in another identified strongroom under prescribed security arrangements as per commission directives.
All contesting candidates have received written communication allowing them to appoint representatives to monitor strongroom security arrangements. These representatives are permitted to stay outside the inner perimeter security area. The commission has also made CCTV displays of the strongrooms available for candidates and their representatives.
The polled EVM strongrooms will be opened in the presence of candidates, election agents, and central observers, with videography documentation, before the commencement of the counting process on November 14.
