Assam Readies 40 Counting Centres for May 4 Vote Tally Under Tight Security

Mandatory counting of every paper slip from VVPAT machines is expected to push final declarations into late evening.

Overview

Counting will start at 8:00 am on May 4 at 40 centres across 35 districts, according to Assam’s chief electoral officer.
Results may arrive late because all VVPAT slips will be tallied and because postal and service ballots can be received until 7:59 am on counting day.
Strong rooms holding voting machines have round-the-clock CCTV and guards, with about 25 companies of Central Armed Police Forces in place until the machines return to warehouses.
The Election Commission has assigned 126 observers, nearly 6,000 counting officials, and 2,348 micro-observers to oversee tabulation and reduce errors.
Officials reported 1,19,463 postal ballots already cast, and district administrations have been told to curb victory processions to prevent post-result clashes.