Bokaro is all set for counting of votes. Arrangements for counting of votes polled for Giridih Lok Sabha constituency is complete, said KN Jha Deputy Commissioner Bokaro cum district electoral officer.

Counting for the election results will take place Krishi Bazar centre ITI More Chas on an average in 19 rounds on Thursday (May 23), he said.

Entry of private as well as commercial heavy vehicles, multi-axle vehicles are completely banned in the stretch between ITI More and Jodhadih More Chas from 5 am to till the counting is over, said Jha. Though, alternate rout has been finalized in order to facilitate and for the convenience of the traffic, he said. 

Entry to the counting centre has been restricted. Officials involved in the counting process, candidates and their agents, as well as media persons (authorised by the Election Commission of India) are only authorised to enter the center. Police officers are not allowed to enter the counting stations.

Media centres have been arranged at the venues, while Apps will make updates available in real time. The counting centres will have a three-layer security. No vehicles except those of election observers and that of the District Collector will be allowed to the venues, he said.

Mobile phones have been banned from the counting centre and cloak rooms have been arranged to store the phones of those entering the counting stations.

The counting of votes would begin by 8 am, informed DPRO.

“Counting will be conducted on 120 tables at one go. Overseer, returning officer and collectors will be present with the candidates before the opening of strong rooms,” he added.

On the directive of the Supreme Court the final verdict on Lok Sabha seat will be declared only after the tallying of voter-verified paper audit trail (VVPAT) slips with EVM count is completed – a process that is expected to take well over four hours per constituency. The selection of the five EVMs in every assembly constituency will be done by a draw of lots in the presence of political party candidates, said an official.

On 8 April 2019 the Supreme Court of India had directed the Election Commission to tally the VVPAT slips of at least five EVMs in each Assembly segment in a Lok Sabha constituency. Earlier, the Election Commission used to count the VVPAT slips of just one EVM in every Assembly Constituency, he informed.

ECI has directed us that after every round the tabulation, a sheet will be given to the candidates for their signature, he said.