RECOUNTING OF VOTES
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Subject : Polity
Context : Some political parties have demanded recount of votes in the Bihar election
Concept :
- The ultimate round of Electronic Voting Machines (EVM) counting doesn’t start unless the counting of postal ballots is over. In case the victory margin is less than the total number of postal ballots received, then a re-verification is done even if no candidate or agent has asked for it.
- On Tuesday, the Commission referred to this instruction when asked about the request from the Left parties for a recount in three seats.
- Apart from this provision, Rule 63 of the Conduct of Election Rules explicitly allows a candidate or his agent to demand a recount of postal ballots or EVM votes before the result is formally declared.
- The application for a partial or complete recount has to be made in writing along with strong reasons for the demand. The Returning Officer considers the grounds provided and may allow the recount in part or whole.
- However, the recheck of EVM votes and recounting of postal ballots can only be done before the formal declaration of results on Form 21C. After that, a candidate’s only recourse is an election petition.