Lok Sabha Elections 2024: Who are counting agents? What's their role on the results day on June 4?

livemint.com:

mass rigging’ in the process for counting of votes in the Lok Sabha Elections 2024, claiming that the ‘Candidate’s Counting Agents’ would not be allowed at the Assistant Returning Officer’s (ARO) table for the first time. The Office of the Chief Electoral Officer of Delhi, however, responded to Maken’s allegation clarifying that the ‘Counting Agents’ are allowed at tables of Returning Officers and Assistant Returning Officers.

Also Read: Lok Sabha elections 2024 result to be declared tomorrow: How to check?The allegation, and clarification, came on a day when the last phase of elections was underway and when, hours later, most of the exit poll results predicted a historic hat-trick for the Prime Minister Narendra Modi-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA) government. The issue has brought to the fore the crucial role of ‘counting agents’ who still have their task cut out for the final stage of the elections – the counting day on June 4.

Their presence and vigilance are vital in ensuring a fair and transparent counting process. Who are these counting agents and what is their role? LiveMint explains:On the result day the voters are counted by, or under the supervision and direction of the Returning Officer of each Lok Sabha constituency in the presence of the candidates and their agents.

The law authorises the Assistant Returning Officer to undertake the counting of votes. The counting may be simultaneously done at places more than one and at tables more than one at the same place.