1. To eliminate the possibility of any unauthorised persons from entering counting centres, the Election Commission of India has introduced a QR code–based Photo Identity Card module on ECINET.
2. Starting with the counting to be held on May 04,2026, for the General Elections to the Legislative Assemblies of Assam, Kerala, Tamil Nadu, West Bengal and Puducherry and the bye-elections in 7 ACs of 5 States, the system will be extended to all future General and Bye-elections to Lok Sabha and State Legislative Assemblies.
3. This significant initiative is in continuation of the series of over 30 initiatives taken by the Election Commission of India over the past one year, which included introduction of standardised QR Code based photo ID Cards for BLOs.
4. A three-tier security mechanism has been prescribed for verification of identity at counting centres. At the first and second tiers, Photo Identity Cards issued by the RO shall be checked manually. At the third and innermost security cordon near the counting hall, entry shall be permitted only after successful verification through QR code scanning.
5. The new QR code-based Photo Identity Cards will be applicable for the categories of persons authorized by ECI to enter counting centres and halls, which include Returning Officers, Assistant Returning Officers, counting staff, technical personnel, candidates, election agents and counting agents, among others.
6. A Media Center will be set up near the Counting Halls in each Counting Center for the facilitation of authorised media persons.
7. Entry of mediapersons will continue to be permitted on the basis of authority letters issued by ECI in accordance with the existing instructions of the Commission.
8. District Election Officers and Returning Officers have been directed to make all necessary arrangements for the effective implementation of this system, including deployment of trained personnel at designated checkpoints to ensure seamless and secure access control.
9. All Chief Electoral Officers, District Election Officers, Returning Officers and Assistant Returning Officers have been directed to ensure strict compliance with these instructions to uphold the highest standards of transparency, security and efficiency in the counting process.

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PK/GDH/RP