Delay in TN poll results on May 13th: CEO Praveen Kumar

Chennai, May 9: In a few days the results will be declared and the verdict will be pronounced on who will reign supreme in the great battle of democracy over five states where Assembly Polls were held. With candidates, party loyalists and supporters awaiting the D-day, the Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) Praveen Kumar has indicated that the result declaration in Tamil Nadu will be delayed by a few hours.

Praveen Kumar, commenting on the changes in the counting process was quoted as saying to Indian Express that the decision was made after a consultative meeting with political parties briefing them about the process and preparations for the counting exercise. He also added that changes need to be done unlike in previous polls where the counting was on even when the compilation for the earlier round was in progress.

He commented, “Now, votes in the Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) would be counted, collated and declared round-wise. The next round of EVMs would be taken up only after declaration of results to the previous round. This is being done as part of efforts to better transparency and it might cause a minor delay in declaration of final results."

With an eye on more transparency and security, the results will be exhibited on the electronic boards outside the counting centres at the end of each round. The counting process will also be videographed and monitored by 55 poll observers pushing the total observers to 234. Praveen Kumar opined, “In effect, there will be one observer for every constituency."

He also added that the postal ballots would be taken up for counting first. The consultative meeting was attended by representatives of DMK, AIADMK, PMK, Congress, CPI, CPM and the BJP.

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