Dispelling doubts over the time limit for receiving polled postal ballot by Returning Officers, the Election Commission of India, ECI on Wednesday said all postal ballot papers received before start of the counting process, will be counted. The clarification came following some media reports saying that the ballot papers received after the date of poll will not to be counted.

The Commission has issued fresh instructions, saying that postal ballot papers received by the Returning officers upto the time fixed for commencement of counting shall be taken into account.

In a statement, it has said that there is no prohibition in law that the votes on postal ballots cannot be recorded or received after the date and time fixed for poll . However, it is further clarified that no application for issue of postal ballot paper can be entertained after the preparation of marked copy of electoral roll for use in polling stations.