Guidelines issued for counting personnel

Patna, Jun 15 (UNI) In the wake of reported irregularities attributed to counting personnel who allegedly tried to influence the Panchayat election results, state election commission has issued guidelines for counting process, including video recording of the entire exercise.

In the instructions issued to all the concerned officials, State Election Commissioner J K Dutta said before assigning the counting duty, the antecedents of the personnel should be verified and if they were found having any relation or dealings with the contesting candidates, the concerned personnel should not be deputed for counting duties.

Even during the counting process, if there was any indication of the counting personnel having any 'unusual' interests in the results, he should be immediately removed from the duty. Criminal cases should be registered against the erring officials, Mr Dutta added.

Taking exception to the reported partisan role of the officials during the counting at Araria and Bhagalpur, Mr Datta warned the officers that criminal cases would be registered against them even after the counting process was over.

Such officials would not be allowed to go scot free and they would be dealt strongly under the perview of law and service code.

Transperanacy and fairness of the counting process would be maintained at any cost, he affirmed.

UNI XC-BNG-BA-AKP1328