Arunachal: Preparations underway for vote counting, confirms CEO Pawan Kumar Sain

Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) P K Sain has announced that all preparations for the upcoming vote counting are in full swing. In a detailed briefing, CEO Sain highlighted the simultaneous counting process that will be implemented this time, differing from the previous practice of sequentially counting votes for one constituency after another. This change is based on the availability of infrastructure.

“Counting of votes for Assembly seats will begin at 6 am on June 2, and Lok Sabha at 8 am on June 4,” confirmed IAS Pawan Kumar Sain, Chief Electoral Officer speaking to India Today.

In the 24 districts of Arunachal Pradesh where assembly seats are contested, counting will proceed, with three districts having uncontested seats. For the Lok Sabha, counting will take place across all 27 districts.

For example, Sain explained, "Counting of all five assembly constituencies in Changlang district would be taken up simultaneously, and we hope the results will be known expeditiously by 11 am to 12 noon."

As preparations intensify with only two weeks left, Sain had a meeting with all district election officers (DEOs). During this meeting, DGP Anand Mohan, in the presence of the chief secretary, instructed all Superintendents of Police (SPs) to strictly adhere to the Election Commission of India (ECI) guidelines to maintain law and order. This includes setting up a three-layer security barricade at counting centres. Only authorized personnel, without mobile phones, will be allowed entry to ensure a peaceful counting environment.

“I also directed all DEOs and nodal officers to ensure maintenance of ECI guidelines within the counting areas and strong rooms where all electronic voting machines (EVMs) have been kept after simultaneous elections held on April 19,” Sain said.

He added, “I have visited the strong rooms in the districts many times and found that representatives of political parties have also visited to observe security as they made an entry in the visitors’ book.”

Addressing concerns about how the public will be informed of the counting outcomes, Sain disclosed that internet facilities will be available at all counting centres to mail the results to the CEO's office and the ECI. Additionally, media centres will be set up near all counting centres to provide updated information to the public.

“The people and officials worked with team spirit to maintain the glory of Arunachal Pradesh in conducting the election process peacefully,” Sain remarked. He expressed hope that this cooperative spirit will continue in the future, setting an example for the rest of the country to emulate.