Patna, 14 November (Udaipur Kiran). Ahead of the Bihar Assembly Election 2025 results, the Election Commission has once again clarified the official counting process and cautioned people not to rely on early numbers shown by TV channels. According to the Commission, counting of postal ballots begins at 8 AM, while counting of EVM votes starts only at 8:30 AM.

Despite this, many TV channels start flashing fake “lead numbers” around 8:10 AM for TRPs. These numbers often cross 100 seats even before the first round of EVM counting begins. At that time, officials are still counting postal ballots or finalising their figures.

Former Chief Election Commissioner Rajiv Kumar had said in 2024 that the first round of EVM results cannot come before 9 AM because counting starts at 8:30 AM and each round takes at least 20–25 minutes. He also said the Commission uploads first-round updates on its website only around 9:30 AM. Any numbers shown before 9 AM, he stressed, are baseless. He had also warned that some agencies create early hype to match exit poll predictions, which later misleads viewers once real results begin to appear.

Postal Ballot Counting Begins at 8 AM

The Commission said the counting process begins at 8 AM with postal ballots—votes cast by defence personnel, security forces, and government staff on duty. This counting is done by the Returning Officer (RO) or Assistant Returning Officer (ARO).

EVM counting cannot proceed to the final round unless all postal ballots are completely counted. If postal ballot counting is still ongoing, the last round of EVM counting is paused until completion. Separate tables are designated for postal ballots, where candidates’ counting agents may remain present.

How Counting Staff Are Deployed

Counting staff are appointed through a three-stage randomisation system:

• One week before counting, staff are informed about their role.

• Twenty-four hours before counting, they are told their assigned constituency.

• At 5 AM on counting day, they receive their specific table number.

How EVM Vote Counting Works

EVM counting begins at 8:30 AM. Each constituency has 15 tables—14 for EVM counting and one where the ARO supervises the process. Each table has a counting supervisor, counting assistant, and micro observer. Every candidate is allowed to appoint one counting agent per table.

Candidate Agents Verify Machines and Records

When EVMs are brought to the tables, candidates’ counting agents verify that seals are intact and that the machine number matches the details in Form 17C—issued to polling agents after voting closes. If the vote count in EVM differs from Form 17C, VVPAT slips for that booth must be counted.

VVPAT Verification for Five Random Booths

After all EVMs in a constituency are counted, slips from five randomly selected booths are matched with EVM results. Candidates or their agents can remain present throughout. The Commission updates round-wise results on its website after every stage.