The Election Commission of India (ECI) today announced that it will introduce a QR code-based identity card system at counting centres to eliminate the possibility of any unauthorised entry during vote counting for assembly elections in five states on May 4, an official said on Thursday.

Starting with the counting to be held on May 4 for the General Elections to the Legislative Assemblies of Assam, Kerala, Tamil Nadu, West Bengal and Puducherry and the bye-elections in seven Assembly Constituencies of five states, the system will be extended to all future general and bye-elections to Lok Sabha and State Legislative Assemblies, said the official.

"To eliminate the possibility of any unauthorised persons from entering counting centres, the poll panel has introduced QR code-based photo identity cards. Under the system, a three-layer security arrangement has been put in place at the counting centres," the official stated.

This significant initiative is in continuation of the series of over 30 initiatives taken by the ECI over the past one year, which included introduction of standardised QR Code based photo ID Cards for BLOs, the electoral authority said in a statement.

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, the statement read.

The new QR code-based photo ID cards will be applicable for the categories of persons authorised 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.

"This is aimed at ensuring the highest standards of transparency, security and efficiency in the counting process," the official said.

The ECI further said a media center will be set up near the counting halls in each counting center for the facilitation of authorised media persons.

It further said the 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.

Chief Electoral Officers (CEOs), District Election Officers (DEOs) and Returning Officers (ROs) have been directed to make necessary arrangements for the effective implementation of this system, including deployment of trained personnel at designated checkpoints to ensure seamless and secure access control.

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, the ECI added.