Kerala: Parties nervous as votes to be counted today

Thiruvananthapuram: All political parties across the country and in the state are anxious to know whom the voters have chosen.

Counting of votes will be held on Thursday for 51 assembly seats and two Lok Sabha constituencies spread across 18 states where by-elections were held two days ago. The BJP and its allies held nearly 30 of these assembly seats, while the Congress had won 12 and the rest were with regional parties.

Meanwhile, in Kerala, arrangements were made for counting to five Assembly seats on Thursday. The counting will begin at 8 am and the official results are likely to be declared between 1 pm to 2 pm.

Bypolls were held on Monday at Vattiyoorkavu, Konni, Aroor, Ernakulam and Manjeswaram.

For the first time VVPAT Special Booth (VSB) will be setup in each counting centre. On Tuesday, Chief Electoral Officer Teeka Ram Meena said special training has been given to the officials to ensure that there is no delay in counting process as was witnessed in Pala bypoll.

As per the existing procedure, the postal ballots will be counted first before the start of first round. The counting will take place at the following counting centres; Manjeswaram  -  Government High School Paivalike Nagar Manjeshwar, Ernakulam - Maharajas College, Aroor – NSS College, Pallipuram, Cherthala, Konni - Amrita GHSS Eliyarackal, Konni, and Vattiyoorkavu - St Mary's Higher Secondary School, Pattom.

The EVMs, VVPAT, Ballot Units have been kept at these centers under 24/7 security. The inner security ring at the counting centre is being manned by CRPF. Two officers including a senior officer are monitoring the centers.

Strong rooms and counting centers are under round-the-clock CCTV surveillance. Double lock system has been provided in strong rooms.

Election Commission has made a small arrangement where the five VVPATS in each constituency will be counted at the VSB.  CCTV cameras have been placed above the VSB. Each VVPAT slip will be videographed.