Guwahati — The Election Commission will introduce a QR code–based photo identity module on its ECINET platform for vote counting on May 4 for the assembly elections in Assam, Kerala, Tamil Nadu, West Bengal and Puducherry, as well as for bypolls in seven constituencies across five states. The measure, the commission said, is intended to prevent unauthorised persons from entering counting centres and will be rolled out for future Lok Sabha and state assembly elections.
The system is supported by a three‑tier security arrangement for identity verification. At the first two outer cordons, photo identity cards issued by returning officers will be checked manually. Access to the innermost cordon near the counting hall will be permitted only after a successful QR code scan of the authorised photo ID.
The QR code photo IDs will be required for all persons authorised to enter counting centres, including returning officers, assistant returning officers, counting staff, technical personnel, candidates, election agents and counting agents. The move is part of more than 30 reforms introduced by the commission in the past year, including standardised QR code photo ID cards for booth‑level officers (BLOs).
A media centre will be established near each counting hall to facilitate accredited journalists; media entry will continue to be allowed on the basis of authority letters issued by the commission. District election officers and returning officers have been directed to ensure effective implementation, including deploying trained staff at designated checkpoints for seamless access control.
Security preparations include deployment of 93 companies of state armed police across districts, two additional CRPF companies on static duty and 85 assault groups to ensure smooth proceedings. For strong rooms, 25 companies of central armed police forces and 13 companies of state armed police will cover the innermost and second cordons. On counting day in the state, 5,981 counting officers — mostly state government employees — and 2,348 central government micro observers will be deployed across 40 counting centres.
Original Source: https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/guwahati/ec-introduces-qr-code-based-photo-id-checks-at-counting-centres-on-may-4/articleshow/130647400.cms
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Publish Date: 2026-04-30 23:41:00
