LS vote counting: prohibitory orders issued in DK, Udupi

Mangaluru/Udupi: In the backdrop of the Lok Sabha election result day on Thursday May 23, Section 144 will be in effect from 6 pm on May 22 up to 6 pm on May 24, informed DK deputy commissioner Sasikanth Senthil at a press meet.

“During this period, conducting processions, public and political meetings are prohibited. Carrying of arms, explosives are prohibited. Use of crackers is not allowed. Sale of alcohol has been prohibited from 6 pm of May 22 to midnight of May 23 as per the Election Commission’s directions,” said the DC.

“Polling was completed on April 18 and the EVM/VVPAT along with the statutory documents was kept safe in NITK Surathkal. The counting will be held on May 23 at NITK Suratkal from 8 am. In the counting hall, 14 counting tables are placed,” he said.

“The counting staff have already been appointed. For each table there will be one counting supervisor, one counting assistant and one micro observer. As many as 80 sealing staff have been appointed for sealing purpose, and 8 floor supervisors are appointed. For postal ballot counting, 4 tables have been placed. The strong room will be opened at 7 am in the presence of observers/candidates/agents,” added the DC.

“A barricade has been put up on the path used for transporting EVMs from the strong room to the counting hall. Security has been placed around the counting hall. The strong room is under 24×7 CAPF guard and 24×7 CCTV coverage. A gazetted officer has been appointed for monitoring the security arrangements of the strong room 24×7. Uninterrupted power supply will be provided at the strong room locations,” the DC said.

Security

Speaking at the meet Police commissioner Sandeep Patil said, “Since April 18, the security at the strong room has been beefed up and people have been deployed on shift basis. In every shift there is 1 ACP/DySP, 2 police inspectors, 4 SI, 7 ASI, 12 HC and 15 PC along with 1 platoon CAPF, 1 platoon KSRP and 2 CAR platoons.”

“On May 23, one CAPF platoon, 5 KSRP, 12 CAR, 2 DCP, 6 ACP, PI, 48 PSI, 66 ASI, 112 HC and 24 PC will be deployed. To control traffic 1 ACP, 4 PI, 2 PSI, 31 ASI, 61 HC and 99 PC have been deployed,” said Patil.

Traffic diversion

“Traffic will be diverted in certain areas. Heavy goods vehicles travelling from Mangalore to Udupi will be diverted via KPT – Kavoor Junction – Bajpe – Kateel – Kinnigoli – Mulki – Udupi. Buses will be allowed as usual on National Highway, but without any stop near NITK. This is to prevent any unauthorized persons from gathering near NITK,” informed Sandeep Patil.

“Light motor vehicles and two-wheeler riders travelling from Surathkal to Udupi need to divert from Tadambail cross – NITK light house – Red Rock cross – Udupi,” he added.

Udupi

Preparations for counting of votes in Udupi-Chikkamagaluru constituency have reached final stages. The counting is scheduled to begin at 8 am on Thursday, informed DC Hephsiba Rani Korlapati.

“The strong room will be opened at 7.30 am. Officials and staff have been provided training in two stages. The officials, staff and agents arriving on behalf of candidates have been issued passes. Nobody will be allowed to carry their mobile phones inside,” said the DC after visiting St Cicily Educational Institute on Tuesday May 21 where the votes will be counted and inspected the preparations for the same.

“Preparations have been made to convey the results to people after each round of counting. Three-level security has been provided at the center. Police force of about 300 police staff deployed at the venue consists of district police, 3 KSRP squads and one platoon of CRPF,” said DSP Nisha James.