The Counting Process
What Happens to Your Vote After it is Cast
1 For the first time electronic voting machines will be used for the civic
elections. The electronic voting machines bear the names of the candidates
and their symbols. An EVM can bear a maximum of 16 names but can take any
number of votes. Each polling booth usually sees only 1,200 to 1,400 votes
being cast
2 After a name is confirmed on the list with the electoral officers, the
voter is allowed to cast his/her vote. The voter has to press the button
alongside the name and symbol of the candidate he/she want to vote for. When
the button is pressed, there is a beep upon which the vote is locked.
3 When the next voter enters the booth, the electoral officer resets the
machine and the next vote is cast and similarly locked.
4 At the end of the day, the control button is sealed and a tag is attached
showing total votes cast. The EVMs are placed in strong rooms that have been
specially created at every counting centre. These are guarded by four armed
policemen. In the sensitive areas, which have already been identified, the
State Reserve Police have been deployed.
5 On the counting day, the seal is first checked to see if it is intact;
only then is the machine opened in the front of representatives of the
candidate. On the press of a button, the unit displays the number of votes
garnered by each candidate. An officer records it and then sends it for
tabulation.