Rajasthan Assembly By-Election 2024, Preparations for Counting Completed: Chief Electoral Officer

Results for 7 Assembly Constituencies’ By-Elections on November 23; Counting to Begin at 7 Centers from 8 AM, Tri-Layer Security to be Enforced. Counting of Votes on 98 Tables in 141 Rounds Using EVMs at 7 Centers

Jaipur : Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) Shri Naveen Mahajan informed that the results of the by-elections in seven assembly constituencies—Jhunjhunu, Ramgarh, Dausa, Deoli-Uniara, Khimsar, Salumber, and Chaurasi—will be declared on November 23. Counting will commence at 8 AM on Saturday at seven district headquarters: Jhunjhunu, Alwar, Dausa, Tonk, Nagaur, Udaipur, and Dungarpur. All arrangements for counting have been completed, and sufficient personnel have been trained for the process.

On Thursday, Shri Mahajan reviewed preparations for counting via video conference with electoral and returning officers of the seven districts. He issued necessary instructions to election, administrative, and police officials, emphasizing adherence to EVM protocols, tri-layered security, and timely updates on trends and results through media centers.

39 Tables for ETPB Counting:
Shri Mahajan stated that counting of postal ballots will begin at 8 AM on November 23. For votes cast through postal ballots by service voters and home voting, 39 and 28 tables, respectively, have been set up. A total of 5,465 electronically transmitted postal ballots (ETPBs) were issued under the ETPB Management System (ETPBMS) as per the Election Commission of India’s guidelines. All ETPB ballots received by the respective Returning Officers (ROs) before 8 AM on November 23 will be included in the counting.

Additionally, 3,127 voters—comprising senior citizens above 85 years and differently-abled voters with over 40% disability—exercised their voting rights via home voting.

Counting of EVM Votes from 8:30 AM:
The counting of EVM votes will start at 8:30 AM across 98 tables. Shri Mahajan mentioned that EVM vote counting for all seven constituencies will take place over 141 rounds, with 18 to 22 rounds depending on the voter count. EVM vote counting will conclude in 22 rounds for Jhunjhunu and Salumber, 21 rounds for Ramgarh, 20 rounds for Deoli-Uniara and Khimsar, and 18 rounds for Dausa and Chaurasi constituencies.

No Unauthorized Entry in Counting Rooms:
The CEO highlighted strict security measures at all counting venues with tri-layered arrangements. District Election Officers and Superintendents of Police have been instructed to enforce security protocols rigidly. Entry and exit to counting rooms without permission are prohibited. State police, along with Central Armed Police Forces (CAPFs), RAC, and home guards, have been deployed to ensure law and order. The election day in these constituencies has been declared a dry day.

360-Degree Videography of Counting Process:
Shri Mahajan mentioned that the movement of EVMs, VVPAT machines, and documents from strong rooms to counting halls and back will be under uninterrupted CCTV surveillance. Candidates or their agents can monitor this footage on TVs or monitors in the counting hall. The entire counting process will be videographed using 360-degree cameras with time and date stamps.

Live Trends Displayed via Trend-TV at Counting Venues:
A media center has been set up at counting venues for authorized media personnel, equipped with computer screens and internet facilities. Trends and results will be displayed on LED screens via the Election Commission’s IT application, “Trend-TV,” providing real-time updates.

The general public can also access trends and results through the Chief Electoral Officer’s website (https://ceorajasthan.nic.in/). Detailed round-wise information for each constituency will be available. Results for all seven constituencies will be uploaded to the website after the counting concludes. Trends and results will also be accessible on the “Voter Helpline” mobile app.