The Election Commission has issued strict instructions on mobile phone use inside counting halls on counting day: only the specific mobile device registered with ETPBMS to receive one-time passwords (OTP) for the Returning Officer (RO), Assistant Returning Officer (ARO) or the Counting Supervisor will be allowed inside. Once the OTP is received and the system is logged in, that handset must be switched off immediately.
After the device is powered down, it must be placed in the custody of the most senior officer present in the counting hall — whether the ARO, RO or an Observer — and remain switched off until counting concludes. This creates a single, controlled path for OTP reception and prevents other phones from being present during the process.
If the system logs out during counting, the Counting Supervisor may retrieve the registered phone from the designated officer only to receive a fresh OTP and re-login. The phone must be returned to the officer and switched off again as soon as re-login is completed.
The measures are designed to maintain the integrity and security of the electronic counting process by limiting device access, preserving chain of custody for authentication devices, and reducing the risk of unauthorized communication or data breaches during tallying. Officials and staff involved in counting are expected to follow these procedures strictly.
Original Source: https://www.sentinelassam.com/topheadlines/assam-counting-day-eci-restricts-mobile-phone-use-by-returning-officers-on-may-4
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Publish Date: 2026-03-26 09:17:00
