First model counting hall in Meghalaya

SHILLONG: Arrangements have been made across Meghalaya to ensure that counting of votes is conducted smoothly on Thursday, officials in the state election department have said.


The Election Commission ( EC) has instructed the State Election Commission (SEC) to match EVM results with voter-verifiable paper audit trail (VVPAT) slips from five polling stations per assembly constituency.

The exercise has to be conducted accordingly for 300 polling stations across the state. "In addition, the deputy commissioners have also been directed to bring in experienced officers, including cashiers, for the counting," an official said.

Meghalaya CEO Fredrick Roy Kharkongor said that for the first time, a model counting hall has been set up to simulate the counting process. At present, five companies of the Central Armed Police Forces (CAPF) are guarding the counting centres in the state, Kharkongor added.

Elections to the Shillong and Tura Lok Sabha seats in the state were held on April 11, with a turnout of around 68%.