
New Delhi, 30 April (H.S.): The Election Commission has implemented a QR code-based photo identification system to bolster security at counting centres, preventing unauthorised access. The ECI-Net platform-based system will commence with May 4 counting.
Counting for Assam, Kerala, Tamil Nadu, West Bengal, Puducherry Assembly elections and seven bypolls across five states is scheduled for May 4. The Bombay High Court cancelled the Election Commission's notification for Goa's Ponda bypoll, nullifying April 9 voting.
The initiative mandates three-tier security. Levels one and two feature manual photo ID checks by Returning Officers, while the innermost third layer permits entry only after QR code scanning.
QR code-based IDs are compulsory for Returning Officers, Assistant Returning Officers, counting staff, technical personnel, candidates, and agents—all authorised individuals.
District Election Officers and Returning Officers must ensure effective implementation with trained personnel deployment.
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Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar