How EVM Votes Are Counted: Understanding the 2019 Postal Ballot Rule Change and Opposition Concerns

How EVM Votes Are Counted: There is not much time left for the result of the Lok Sabha Election 202 to be released. However, Congress leader Abhishek Manu Singhvi requested the Election Commissioner to release the postal ballot results first and then announce the Electronic Voting Machine (EVM) numbers.

INDIA parties reported, “In fact, there was a huge outcry in Bihar as it was the first election (which was conducted after the onset of the Covid-19 pandemic) where the postal ballots were counted at the end of the counting of EVM votes."

About the 2019 Postal Ballot Rule Change and Opposition Concerns

Before the 2019 Lok Sabha Election, the postal ballot result was released 30 minutes before the result of the Electronic Voting Machine.

The 2019 EC Handbook states that the EVM shall never be counted before the postal ballot whatever conditions may arise.

Returning Officer does the counting of the votes along with assistant returning Officer, they are appointed by the EC and are responsible for the counts of votes and ensure that the counts are according to the rules prescribed.

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However, The EC rules were changed on May after the 2019 Lok Sabha Election because of the rise in a number of postal ballots.

The change was made after the Electronically Transmitted Postal Ballot System was implemented.

News 18 reported that the EC told all Chief Electoral Officers on May 2019 that the EVM counting "can go on irrespective of the stage of postal ballot counting.” After the adjustment, the counting of postal ballot begins early before the EVM counting, but it is not necessary for the result to be out before the EVMs.

If compared to the earlier rule the postal ballots were counted again if the total number of votes cast was more than the opposition's margin of victory but now the rejected ones will be verified again if the number of votes is more than the margin of victory.

The postal ballot was introduced for people of age 80 years old or disabled people however now the age limit has been increased to 85 years old.

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