The stage is set for counting of votes tomorrow in the Lok Sabha elections and assembly polls to 4 states – Arunachal Pradesh,Odisha,Sikkim and Andhra Pradesh. Election Commission says, counting will begin at 8 AM with postal ballots first followed by Electronic Voting Machines – EVMS later. The counting is likely to be completed by 5 PM but trends will be available by 11 AM or before.By noon, a final picture could emerge on who would be the major players in the 16th Lok Sabha. Counting will be taken up in 989 centres.

Chief Election Commissioner V S Sampath today said elaborate arrangements have been made for counting of votes at all centers across the country. In an exclusive interview to Prasar Bharati correspondents Sant Bahadur and Mark Lynn, Sampath said each counting table will have a micro observer to monitor the counting process and after every round the result sheet will be provided to the candidates.

On protecting identity of voters during counting, he said a proposal for use of totalizer during counting is pending with parliament. He said, once it is approved the votes polled in 12 polling stations will be mixed and then it would not be possible for any one to know which candidate got how many votes at a particular polling booth.

He said, providing security in conflict areas and curbing the use of money power and liquor were the major challenges during conduct of this Lok Sabha elections. Sampath said, the Commission conducted the polls in phases because of limited availability of central police forces.
The full interview can be heard in our programme Spotlight at 9.15 tonight on Rajdhani channel and additional frequencies.