The practice of ballot boxes being transported in a transparent bag and secured with a lock will continue in the upcoming General Election, the National Election Commission announced via a statement.
During the sealing of the ballot box post-polling, the original copy out of six copies of the form signed by randomly selected polling staff members/polling agents will be affixed to the ballot box, with one copy being sent to the counting centre and others provided to polling agents.
The Election Commission further said candidates’ representatives are also permitted to follow the vehicle carrying the ballot box from the polling station to the last police checkpoint near the counting centre.
If desired, a candidate may position their authorized counting agents on both sides of the road leading from the final checkpoint to the counting centre premises, and the police officials will be duly informed of these arrangements.
The Election Commission added that one counting agent will be allowed to be present in the counting hall from 3.30 pm and the rest of the agents may also be present at the counting premises from the said time.
The Election Commission made this announcement after some politicians and candidates had raised concerns about the security of ballot boxes during transportation to counting centres after polling.
