A cautious poll panel, thin margin among reasons for delayed results

: Cautious approach of the Election Commission, thin margins of leads and counting of paper trail machines slips were some of the key factors which led to delayed poll results, sources in the poll panel said on Wednesday.

The sources pointed out that with parties blaming the electronic voting machines (EVMs), the poll panel was extra cautious in its approach. The chief electoral officers of Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, Chhattisgarh, Telangana and Mizoram were reminded of an old rule that they had to provide round-wise results tocandidateswithoutfail. Referring to its April 2014 instruction, the poll panel had said observers and returning officers would sign candidate-wise results for the round after checking everything.

They would “ensure that the results of that round of counting are immediately displayed prominently on the blackboard/whiteboard,” the poll panel had said in its December 7 letter.

A senior official said Wednesday: “The lead margins were thin and stakes high for all parties. The candidates were not leaving anything to chance. This (the system) ensured that very few demands were made for a recount. But yes, it delayed the counting process.” The official said this move helped in preventing confusion and allaying fears that unfair means were adopted.

Another key factor, the official said, was matching of EVM results with VVPAT slips. “It takes 45 minutes to one hour to count slips. The slips are small like an ATM slip. You can’t afford to lose one,” the official said.

NEW DELHI