New Delhi, May 13: With only 13 days to go for the 2019 Lok Sabha election results and one of the seven rounds of polling left, Election Commission (EC) is likely to hold a crucial meeting today to review its preparations for counting of votes, scheduled to take place on May 23. The poll panel is expected to discuss the Supreme Court's directive that VVPAT slips will be matched with five EVMs in every assembly segment of a parliamentary seat.

Last month, the apex court had asked the EC to increase the Voter Verifiable Paper Audit Trail (VVPAT) slip count from one EVM per assembly constituency to five. It will be the first that VVPAT slips will be matched with EVMs in the Lok Sabha polls. The exercise, which has been undertaken during Assembly elections in the past, could delay the counting by more than five-six hours and the final tally is likely to be clear on May 24, said sources in the Election Commission. Lok Sabha Election Results 2019: Election Commission to 1st Feed Result on suvidha.eci.gov.in, results.eci.gov.in Directly From Counting Centres.

"As per the previous plan, the results of the elections are scheduled to be declared on May 23. But the results may be delayed and the final results may be declared to May 24 due to the increased number of VVPAT verifications," the official, who requested anonymity, told news agency IANS. Opposition parties had moved the Supreme Court seeking direction to the Election Commission for 50 per cent auto check of VVPAT. Gadchiroli Seat in Maharashtra Likely to Know Its Winner by 1pm on May 23.

However, the top court declined to increase the count for verification of VVPAT slips with EVMs in the ongoing Lok Sabha polls. A delegation of opposition parties had then visited the poll panel's office and urged it to look into their demand for 50 per cent auto check of VVPAT.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on May 13, 2019 08:34 AM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).