New Delhi, Feb 29 (IANS) The Election Commission Wednesday clarified that postal ballots received till counting of votes commences will be taken into account.
“It is clarified that as per the provisions of Rules 51 and 54 A of the Conduct of Elections Rules, 1961, read with sub-rules (1) and (2) of Rule 27 of Conduct of Election Rules, 1961, postal ballot papers received by the Returning Officers up to the time fixed for commencement of counting shall be taken into account for counting,” said a statement from the poll panel.
The statement came in response to media reports that polled postal ballots received after the date of election will not to be counted.
Stating that there is no prohibition in law that the postal ballots cannot be recorded or received after the date and time fixed for taking poll at polling stations, the panel said: “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.”
Counting of votes for elections to the legislative assemblies of Manipur, Uttarakhand, Punjab, Uttar Pradesh and Goa will be held on March 6.
