“To eliminate the possibility of any unauthorized person entering the counting centres, the Election Commission of India has introduced QR code-based photo ID module on ECINET,” the commission said in a statement on Thursday.
The system was introduced for the just-concluded Assam, Tamil Nadu, Kerala, West Bengal and Puducherry polls and will be extended to all future Lok Sabha and state/UT assembly elections.
As part of the counting arrangements for May 4, a three-layer security mechanism was set up at the counting center to verify identities. At the first and second tiers, photo ID cards issued by the respective election officials will be checked manually. At the third innermost security cordon near the counting hall, entry is only allowed after successful verification by scanning the QR code.
The new QR code photo ID cards will be applicable to various types of persons authorized by the Election Commission to enter counting centers and halls, including returning officers, assistant returning officers, counting staff, technical staff, candidates, election agents and counting agents, etc.
“This major step is in continuation of over 30 initiatives taken by the Election Commission of India in the past year, including the introduction of standardized QR code-based photo ID cards for principal officers (BLOs) involved in Special Intensified Revision (SIR) activities.
A media center will be set up near the counting hall of each counting center to facilitate authorized media personnel. In line with existing European Commission directives, media personnel will continue to be allowed access based on authorization letters issued by the European Commission.
District Election Officers (DEOs) and Returning Officers (ROs) have been directed to make all necessary arrangements for the effective implementation of the system, including deployment of trained personnel at designated check posts to ensure seamless and secure access control.
An Electoral Commission spokesperson said all Chief Electoral Officers, Returning Officers, Returning Officers and Assistant Returning Officers have been instructed to ensure strict compliance with the Electoral Commission’s latest instructions and to “maintain the highest standards of transparency, security and efficiency during the counting of votes”.
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