This story is from October 20, 2014

Counting process leaves delegates in awe

The meticulous procedure of the counting of votes for the assembly election left the delegates of South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (Saarc) countries in awe on Sunday.
Counting process leaves delegates in awe
PUNE: The meticulous procedure of the counting of votes for the assembly election left the delegates of South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (Saarc) countries in awe on Sunday.
Dasho Kunzang Wangdi, chief election commissioner of Bhutan told TOI that he was impressed with the way information technology was used, such as the counting software to translate, compute and display results. "People can put their trust in the system as the entire process is transparent.
Even though our election system is much like India, we would like to use more information technology," said Wangdi.
Fazal-ur-Rehman, member of the election commission of Pakistan, pointed out that the counting process was peaceful and transparent. "We visited three to four counting centres on Sunday. The election commission has taken important steps to ensure transparency. This was an example of a fair election process without any objection from any of the stakeholders," he said.
The election commissioner from Nepal, Ayodhee Prasad Yadav, found the counting process close to international standards. "The use of EVMs as well as India's postal voting systems is excellent. I also noticed that all political parties, candidates and the election staff looked very hopeful and were in a festive mood, taking full ownership of the election process," said Yadav. In Nepal, where ballot papers are used to vote, Yadav said that counting is laborious.
For Md Shah Nawaz, the election commissioner of Bangladesh, witnessing the counting process was an enjoyable experience. "People were enjoying themselves and were in a festive mood," he said.
Thirteen delegates from Bangladesh, Bhutan, Maldives, Nepal, Pakistan, Sri Lanka and Afghanistan had visited the counting centres in Pune on Sunday, as part of a project under United Nation's Development Programme.
The project aimed at promoting exchange of knowledge and experiences in the field of election management and administration with other developing countries through the Election Commission of India.
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