Hyderabad Collector asks officials to make foolproof arrangements for counting

Reviewing dummy rehearsals of counting at the GHMC Abids Circle office here, he advised officials to make arrangements in tune with guidelines of Election Commission of India (ECI). Fourteen tables must be provided for counting of Electronic Voting Machines (EMVs).

The EMVs must be opened in front of counting agents deputed by the political parties and at the same time the police should make arrangements to prevent any untoward incidents on the counting day. Those who are having valid identity cards only should be allowed, he said.

The police department is providing a three-layer security for the strong rooms where EVMs were preserved after completion of polling on March 13. Surveillance cameras were installed at the strong rooms to keep a constant vigil and the central paramilitary forces are guarding the strong rooms.

The EMVs of Hyderabad Parliament constituency covering Assembly constituencies were preserved at strong rooms after putting a seal to them.

The EVMs of Nampally, Charminar, Yakutpura, Goshamahal, Amberpet, Malakpet, Chandrayangutta and Bahadurpura Assembly constituencies were kept at strong rooms in various places in the city and its suburbs. These EVMs would be opened for counting in the presence of agents of the political parties on June 4, amid tight security.