Persons Involved in Poll Violence Cannot be Counting Agents

Vijayawada: Chief Electoral Officer Mukesh Kumar Meena has directed the authorities not to appoint anyone involved in the poll violence as counting agents.

The CEO reviewed the arrangements for the counting of votes in Palnadu district, at Narasaraopet on Wednesday. He asked officials to restrict the internal movement of the counting personnel in the counting centres.

There would be a centralised control room connected with CC cameras. The Returning Officer must effectively respond in case any untoward incident occurred at the counting centre or even outside the centre.

The CEO gave a series of suggestions on the counting of votes and declaration of the results at the end of every round. The results should be announced without any delay.

The CEO along with DGP Harish Gupta, district collector Srikesh Lakthar and SP Mallika Garg inspected the counting centre and the arrangements made there, and the strong rooms where EVMs were kept.

The collector said over 700 counting supervisors, counting assistants, micro observers and others would take part in the counting.

The DGP said sale of liquor would be stopped from June 3 to 5. The fire fighting equipment would be kept ready near the counting centre. He called for a thorough checking of all hotels and lodges and detention of suspected persons. For each constituency, a police officer would keep a watch on the counting of votes while some police personnel would carry body cameras on them.