“To eliminate the possibility of entry of any unauthorized person into the counting centres, the Election Commission of India has introduced a QR code-based photo identity card module on ECINET,” the commission said in a statement on Thursday.This system – being introduced for the recently concluded elections in Assam, Tamil Nadu, Kerala, West Bengal and Puducherry – will be extended to all future elections to the Lok Sabha and State/UT Assemblies.Under the vote counting arrangements on May 4, a three-tier security mechanism has been set up for identity verification at the counting centres. At the first and second level, photo identity cards issued by the respective returning officers will be manually scrutinized. Entry will be allowed only after successful verification through QR-code scanning in the third and innermost security circle near the counting hall.The new QR code-based photo identity cards will be applicable for categories of persons authorized by the ECI to enter counting centers and halls, including Returning Officers (ROs), Assistant Returning Officers, counting staff, technical personnel, candidates, election agents and counting agents.“This important initiative is in continuation of the series of over 30 initiatives taken by the Election Commission of India over the past one year, including the introduction of standardized QR code-based photo ID cards for key officials, Booth Level Officers (BLOs) involved in conducting the Special Intensive Vetting (SIR) exercise.A media center will be set up near the counting hall in each counting center for the convenience of authorized media persons. As per the existing instructions of the Commission, entry of media persons will continue to be allowed on the basis of authorization letters issued by the EC.District Election Officers (DEOs) and Returning Officers (ROs) have been directed to make all necessary arrangements for effective implementation of this system, including deployment of trained personnel at designated checkpoints to ensure seamless and secure access control.According to an Election Commission spokesperson, all Chief Electoral Officers, DEOs, ROs and Assistant ROs have been directed to ensure strict compliance with the latest instructions of the Election Commission “to maintain the highest standards of transparency, security and efficiency in the counting process”.