Preparations for counting day in full swing in Udupi

May 16 being the decisive day for the candidates who had their tough time combating

Speaking to the media here on Wednesday, Udupi Deputy Commissioner P Hemalatha informed that eight halls have been allotted for eight assembly segments.

As many as 14 counting tables will be allotted to each constituency barring Kaup which has been given 10 counting tables. EVMs will be brought to the table. The counting will be held at T A Pai English Medium High School, Kunjibettu, and the process will begin at 8 am on the day, she informed.

Each table will have one counting supervisor, two assistant counting supervisors and 8 micro observers as additional staff. As many as 131 officials have been trained for the purpose.

Separate counting will be held for postal ballots under the leadership of assistant RO. As many as 34 counting staff are deployed for the purpose. The representatives of the observers and one counting agent from the candidate’s side will be allowed for each table, she added.

The pass for the counting officials and supervisors will be given with colours separately representing each assembly segment. Randomised procedure will reveal the position of the counting supervisors on the early hours of the day.

Meanwhile, it has been declared that dry day will be observed from 5 pm on May 15 to 8 am on May 17. Section 144 will come into force from midnight of May 15 till May 18 morning.

Victory procession by the party members by bursting fire crackers has been banned, Hemalatha informed.

Udupi SP Pravin Pawar informed that security has been beefed up and 3 KSRP platoons have been deployed. As many as 200 Home Guards have been positioned for the purpose. As many as 18 check posts will be operational itself from May 15 to 17 in the district.