Congress flags new rule restricting counting agents at ARO tables on counting day, EC clarifies

New Delhi [India], June 2 (ANI): After the final phase of the Lok Sabha elections concluded on Saturday, marking the end of the world’s largest polling exercise that began on April 19, Congress leader Ajay Maken flagged the new rule that candidates’ counting agents are not allowed at the Assistant Returning Officer (ARO) tables during the vote counting process on June 4.

Calling it an issue “bigger than the alleged EVM rigging,” the Congress leader urged the Election Commission of India to address it.

“Candidate’s Counting Agents’ at the ARO table are NOT being allowed for the first time!!! I have contested 9 Lok Sabha and Vidhan Sabha elections in the past- And this is happening for the first time. If true, this is bigger than the alleged EVM rigging! I am flagging this issue for all candidates! I hope @ECISVEEP rectifies it soon,” Maken posted on X.

However, the Chief Election Officer of Delhi clarified that the counting agents of candidates are allowed at the tables of RO and AROs.

“It is clarified that Counting Agents of Candidates are allowed at the tables of RO/AROs,” the Chief Election Officer, Delhi Office posted on X.

The voting for the marathon seven-phase polling process for the Lok Sabha elections, which began on April 19, came to an end on Saturday (June 1).

The seventh and final phase of polling for Lok Sabha elections on June 1 across seven states and the Union Territory of Chandigarh saw an approximate voter turnout of 62.36 per cent as per the latest trends, the Election Commission (ECI) said on Saturday.

Earlier, as the 7th Phase of polling in General Elections 2024 wrapped up, the Election Commission of India thanked all stakeholders: voters, polling personnel, security forces, media, and political parties.

Polling for the earlier six phases of Lok Sabha elections was held on April 19, April 26, May 7, May 13, May 20, and May 25.

The BJP-led National Democratic Alliance is poised for a hat-trick win in Lok Sabha polls with a massive majority, exit polls predicted on Saturday and indicated that the ruling party at the Centre would improve its performance in several states ruled by other parties.

A few exit polls predicted that the BJP-led NDA could reach the goal of “400 paar” stated by BJP leaders in the run-up to the Lok Sabha polls.

The exit polls predicted that the ruling BJP-led NDA is poised to improve its performance over its 2019 record when it won 352 seats. Two polls predicted the BJP also improving its numbers from the 303 seats it won in the 2019 Lok Sabha polls.

The Narendra Modi-led BJP is seeking a third term in power, while the opposition INDIA bloc is aiming to wrest power by stopping the juggernaut.