All Set for Counting of Votes in Udupi, DC Hephsiba Rani takes stock of arrangements
Udupi: The district administration is all set to begin the counting of votes of Udupi-Chikmagalur Lok Sabha constituency on Thursday, May 23.
Deputy Commissioner Hephsiba Rani Korlapati along with Superintendent of Police Nisha visited St Cecily School where the counting will take place and inspected the arrangements in Udupi here, on May 21.
Later, speaking to Mangalorean .com Deputy Commissioner Hephsiba Rani Korlapati said the preparation, including the security arrangements, were in full swing. As many as 14 rooms had been identified for counting of the votes polled in eight Assembly constituencies.
She said the counting of votes for the six Assembly segments, excluding Kundapur and Karkala, will be held in two rooms each. One room each has been allotted for the counting of votes polled in Kundapur and Karkala Assembly constituencies.
For each counting hall, an assistant returning officer has been appointed who in turn will be assisted by eight polling officers. Apart from that, six assistant polling officers have been kept on reserve in case of any emergency, she added.
Korlpati said an extra set of five tables have been identified for the counting of postal ballots. One assistant polling officer will be in charge of each table.
Highlighting the number of staff involved in the counting of votes, the Deputy Commissioner said 127 poll counting supervisors, 131 counting assistants, 127 micro observers, and 127 ‘D’ Group employees for 21 tabulations had been appointed.
There will be around 16 rounds of counting for the 222 polling booths in Kundapur Assembly constituency, 17 rounds for 226 polling booths in Udupi, 15 rounds of counting for 208 polling booths in Kaup, 15 rounds for 209 polling stations in Karkala, 19 rounds for 256 polling booths in Sringeri, 17 rounds for 231 polling booths in Mudigere, 19 rounds for 257 polling booths in Chikkamagalur, and 17 rounds for 228 polling stations in Tarikere.
“For counting the postal ballots, four tables have been arranged. The QR code of Electronically Transmitted Postal Ballot System (ETPBS) will be scanned before counting it. After the completion of the counting of votes recorded in EVMs, the verification of VVPAT paper slips randomly selected from five polling stations in each Assembly constituency will be taken in the presence of candidates, agents and general observers for counting,” said Korlapati.
CCTV cameras have been placed in the counting rooms. She added that 130 CCTV cameras have been installed at the Centre.
Mobile phones, I-pads, laptops and other electronic devices that can record audio or video clippings will not be allowed inside the counting Centre.
The district administration has declared a dry spell from 5 pm of May 22 till midnight of May 23. “Prohibitory order under Section 144 has been imposed from 6 pm of May 22 to 6 pm of May 24 in Udupi District. Conducting processions, public or political meetings is prohibited during the period. Carrying arms and explosives is also prohibited. Use of crackers is not allowed,” she said.
SP Nisha James said that the security at the Counting Centre has been strengthened for counting of Lok Sabha election votes on Thursday. A three-tier security is provided to the Centre. Three KSPR platoons, one CRPF platoon and 300 district police personals will be deployed for security.
The EVMs, kept securely in the strong room here since a month ago, will ultimately reveal the future of the candidates.
