Section 60 in Tamil Nadu Panchayats (Elections) Rules, 1995
60. Admission to the place fixed for counting.
- The counting of votes shall take place on the day at the place and hour appointed in that behalf. The votes shall be counted by or under the supervision and direction of the Returning Officer. Each contesting candidate, his election agent and such number of his counting agents as may be specified by the State Election Commission, shall have a right to be present at the time of counting. The counting agent shall be appointed [in writing by the candidate or his election agent in Form 21] [Substituted by G.O. Ms. No. 175, Rural Development (PE), dated the 28th August 1997.]. No other person shall be allowed to be present, except -(i)such person hereinafter referred to as the "Counting Supervisors and Counting Assistants" whom the Returning Officer may appoint to assist him in counting the votes;(ii)public servants on duty in connection with the elections; and(iii)such persons as may be authorised by the State Election Commission.No person who has been employed by, or on behalf of, any candidate for any purpose whatsoever connected with the election shall be appointed to assist in counting the votes.
