Assembly Elections 2023: Here’s what all happens on the day of results!

The counting of the Assembly Elections votes for Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Telangana, and Chhattisgarh is all set to take place on December 3. Whereas, the counting for Mizoram is rescheduled to December 4, 2023.

The day of voting results for assembly elections in India is a day of anticipation, excitement, and sometimes, surprise. 

Counting of votes begins at 8 AM sharp across all polling stations. Security forces are deployed in and around counting centres to maintain law and order. Media personnel and political party representatives gather outside the counting centres, waiting for the first trends to emerge.

Throughout the day

Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) are used to count votes, ensuring a fast and accurate process and trends start to emerge as early as 9 AM, with initial leads and neck-and-neck battles between parties.

Political party workers and supporters gather at their party offices or designated locations, watching the results with bated breath.
As the day progresses, a clearer picture of the electoral outcome emerges, with parties winning or losing seats, and the possibility of hung assemblies becoming more or less evident.

By late afternoon or early evening, the final results are usually declared, with the winning party/alliance celebrating their victory and the losing parties analysing their defeat and planning their next steps.

The Chief Minister and other prominent leaders of the winning party deliver victory speeches, outlining their priorities for the next term.

Victory processions and rallies also take place, with supporters celebrating their party's success.

The Governor of the state invites the leader of the party/alliance with the majority to form the next government. If a hung assembly occurs, post-poll negotiations and alliances take place, with the party/alliance securing the support of a majority of MLAs forming the government.

Other important aspects

The Election Commission of India plays a crucial role in overseeing the entire process, ensuring that the elections are conducted fairly and transparently.

Exit polls conducted after the voting period can sometimes predict the final results. However, that may change sometimes.

There may be legal challenges or protests if any irregularities are suspected in the election process.

The day of voting results marks a significant turning point in the political landscape of the state, as the new government takes charge and begins to implement its agenda.

It's important to note that this is a general overview, and the specific details may vary depending on the state and the circumstances of the election.

How does vote counting take place?

The process of vote counting in India can be broken down into several key stages:

Preparation:

• The Election Commission of India (ECI) appoints Returning Officers (ROs) and Assistant Returning Officers (AROs) to oversee the counting process in each constituency.
• Counting staff is selected through a three-stage randomisation process to ensure impartiality.
• Counting tables and booths are set up at designated locations, usually government buildings or educational institutions.
• Security arrangements are made to ensure the safety of voters, candidates, and election officials.
• Postal ballots and Electronically Transmitted Postal Ballots (ETPBs) are segregated and prepared for counting.

Counting of Postal Ballots and ETPBs:

• The counting of postal ballots and ETPBs begins first, under the direct supervision of the RO.
• Each ballot is individually verified and its validity is checked.
• The vote cast by the voter is then recorded on a tally sheet.

Counting of EVMs:

• Once the counting of postal ballots and ETPBs is completed, the counting of votes polled through Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) begins.
• Each EVM is brought to the counting hall and sealed.
• The seals are broken in the presence of candidates and their representatives.
• The EVMs are then connected to a control unit, which displays the total number of votes polled for each candidate.
• The results of each round of counting are recorded on a separate sheet and announced to the public.

Verification and declaration of results:

• After all the EVMs have been counted, the results are verified by the RO and ARO.
• Any discrepancies are investigated and resolved. Once the results are finalised, the RO declares the winner of the election and issues a victory certificate.
• The entire process is conducted under the strict supervision of the ECI, with a focus on transparency and accountability. Observers from various political parties and civil society organisations are also present to ensure fairness and prevent any irregularities.

Here are some additional details about the vote counting process in India:

• Counting is usually done manually for postal ballots and electronically for EVMs.
• The results are declared in rounds, with each round typically consisting of the votes from 14 EVMs.
• There are several security measures in place to prevent tampering with EVMs, including tamper-evident seals and encryption technology.
• The ECI conducts post-election audits to ensure the accuracy of the results.

Overall, the vote counting process in India is designed to be efficient, transparent, and secure. It plays a crucial role in ensuring the integrity of the democratic process and the legitimacy of elected officials.