Returning Officer, 4-Udhampur Parliamentary Constituency Dr. Rakesh Minhas ( DEO Kathua) today chaired a meeting cum training session held for the AROs designated for counting of votes under Electronically Transmitted Postal Ballot System (ETPBS) here in the conference hall of DC Office complex. It was given out in the meeting that vote polled through ETPBS shall be counted in the opening hours of the day of counting of votes for General Election to Lok Sabha-2024 scheduled on 4th June.
During the training session, Master Trainer Sideshwar Bhagat (DIO NIC Kathua), through a Power Point Presentation, briefed the trainees about the SOPs to be adopted for counting of postal ballots besides explaining precautions to be taken during the counting exercise. The RO, while interacting with AROs, laid thrust on acquainting with laid down guidelines of ECI on counting of postal ballot paper.
He further instructed them to go through the Hand Book issued by ECI to have clear insights into different aspects like scanning of QR codes on ballot, declaring the ballot valid or invalid etc and further acquaint their team members with all the guidelines and procedures. The RO further informed that a total of 60 teams have been constituted for counting of ETPBS votes polled in the entire 4-udhampur parliamentary constituency.
He directed the AROs to ensure all teams shall reach the counting venue well before time as the counting of postal ballots will start at 08:00 am sharp. Pertinently, for the first time ECI had made provisions in the Electronically Transmitted Postal Ballot System (ETPBS) where persons with disabilities and electors above 85 years of age casted their votes through postal ballots from the comfort of the home as the polling parties reached their doorsteps.
Among other ADC, Kathua Ranjit Singh, CPO Ranjit Thakur, Nodal Officer, and other designated AROs were also present at the meeting cum training programme.