District Election Officer outlines ECI protocols and comprehensive arrangements in Silchar

way2barak, April 28 : –In a stride towards ensuring a seamless and transparent vote counting process for the Assam Assembly Election 2026, the District Administration of Cachar under the leadership of DC Ayush Garg, IAS, convened an important meeting with representatives of the media fraternity those who received ECI approved media cards, at the old conference hall of the District Commissioner’s office here on Tuesday.

The meeting which was chaired by the District Commissioner and District Election Officer, highlighted the vital role of the media in upholding the integrity and credibility of the electoral process. He emphasised that responsible reporting, guided by established protocols, would play a crucial role in maintaining public confidence during the counting exercise.

Also present at the meeting were Rajib Roy, District Development Commissioner, Cachar, Masi Topno, Election Officer, Cachar and Lucky Biswas, Deputy Director of Information and Public Relations, Barak Valley Zone, Silchar.

Senior journalists from across Cachar district attended the session and were apprised of the guidelines and protocols laid down by the Election Commission of India. The briefing covered critical aspects such as entry procedures at the counting centre, designated media arrangements and the regulated use of mobile phones to maintain discipline, security and order throughout the counting process.

In line with these protocols, detailed arrangements have been put in place at each counting centre to facilitate smooth communication and dissemination of information.

It is informed that an Official Communication Room will be established with essential facilities including computers with printers and internet access to be supervised by a senior officer. A dedicated Media Center will also be set up at a suitable distance from the main counting halls, equipped with necessary communication facilities for authorised media personnel.

To maintain strict decorum and security, only authorised handheld cameras without stands will be permitted inside counting halls, while still or video cameras, except those used for official recording, will not be allowed. Media personnel will be restricted from capturing images or audio-visual footage of actual votes recorded on Control Units, VVPATs or ballot papers under any circumstances. Mobile phones will not be allowed inside counting halls and secure storage arrangements will be provided at the Media Center in ISTT Ramnagar where their use will be permitted in a regulated manner.

A senior officer will be designated as the In-charge of the Media Center, supported by officials deployed by each Returning Officer to ensure timely sharing of counting updates and trends. Media groups will be escorted in small numbers to the counting halls at regular intervals for brief visits while public address systems will be used to disseminate trends and results to both the media and the general public in an orderly manner.

Responding to queries from media representatives, the District Election Officer informed that approximately 700 counting personnel will be engaged in the counting process scheduled to be held on May 4 at ISTT, Ramnagar. He stated that each Assembly constituency will undergo around 16 to 17 rounds of counting, while Katigorah is expected to have approximately 21 rounds. He further added that the counting process will commence with postal ballot at 8:00 AM, followed by counting of votes for all constituencies from 8:30 AM onwards.

The meeting also provided an opportunity for constructive interaction, enabling media representatives to seek clarifications and align their reporting practices with prescribed norms.

This is stated in a press release issued by Regional office of Information & Public Relations Barak valley Zone Silchar Assam.