EVM Vote-Counting Procedure

Votes cast through an Electronic Voting Machine are stored in its control unit, not on paper ballots. Under the Conduct of Elections Rules, 1961, the stored result is retrieved, recorded machine-wise and incorporated into the constituency result through the procedure in Rules 56B and 56C.

Inspection before counting

Under Rule 56B, the control unit is brought to the counting table and its identification marks and seals are inspected. Candidates, election agents and counting agents present may inspect the seals, while the returning officer must be satisfied that the machine has not been tampered with before its votes are counted.

Display and recording of votes

Under Rule 56C, the appropriate Result button on the control unit is pressed. The display shows the total votes recorded and the votes secured by each candidate.

• The figures displayed for each machine are entered in Part II of Form 17C, preserving a polling station-wise record.
• The counting supervisor signs the record and obtains the signatures of candidates or their agents present at the table.
• The machine-wise figures are carried into the constituency result sheet in Form 20 for aggregation and declaration of the result.

Counting of VVPAT paper slips

Under Rule 56D, a candidate, election agent or counting agent may apply in writing for counting the printed paper slips relating to a polling station. The returning officer may allow or reject the request after considering factors such as the total votes, the winning margin and other relevant circumstances, and must record reasons.

• If paper slips are counted and their count differs from the control-unit display, the result sheet is amended according to the paper-slip count.