Udupi District All Set for Counting Votes – DC Priyanka Mary Francis
Udupi: The stage is set for the counting of Karnataka Assembly votes at the T.A. Pai English-Medium High School on Tuesday, said Priyanka Mary Francis, the deputy commissioner of Udupi district.
Speaking at a press meet held at the DC office on May 14 evening, DC Priyanka said that 300 officials would be involved in the vote counting process. 70 tables are set up for the counting of votes from the Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs).
There will be 14 tables for the seven Assembly segments in the constituency there will be 16 rounds of the counting of votes. The votes from EVMs will be counted in each round. A total of 90 counting agents, including those of political parties and independent candidates, will be allowed for the counting of each Assembly segment. The counting of votes will be taken up at 8 am and the results are expected by 1 pm.
The district administration has made elaborate arrangements for the counting process. The election contestants and counting agents are barred from carrying any kind of electronic gadgets inside the counting centres. Only the counting agents, counting officials and candidates would be allowed inside the centre.
A special identification card has been issued to the counting agents which should be produced to gain entry into the centre. The results will be announced in all the counting centres through speakers after every round of counting. Only valid pass holders will be allowed to enter the counting centre.
Tight security will be in place for the counting of votes. The police personnel would be keeping a tight vigil both within and outside the counting centre premises.
The district administration has enforced prohibitory orders under Section 144 in the district from 6 am on May 15 until midnight of May 17 to avoid any untoward incidents in the district. Public gatherings, rallies and processions of any kind are also prohibited. Liquor shop owners have been directed to keep their shops closed till midnight of May 15. Gathering of five or more persons, bursting of crackers, taking out political and religious processions have also been restricted, she said.
The fate of 34 candidates, including the candidates from major political parties – Pramod Madhwaraj, Raghupathi Bhat, Sunil Kumar, Gopal Bhandary, Halady Srinivas Shetty, Rakesh Malli, Vinay Kumar Sorake, Lalaji R Mendon, B M Sukumar Shetty and Gopal Poojary – will be decided on Tuesday.
Sleepless nights and tension for the candidates, party leaders, followers and even the common man will come to an end by Tuesday noon.