All set for counting on May 16

All the preparations have been made for the smooth counting of votes on May 16 at Mahatma Gandhi Centenary Memorial Composite PU College in Bondel, said Deputy Commissioner A B Ibrahaim.

He was addressing mediapersons after inspecting the preparations at the counting centre.
The Deputy Commissioner said that there will be 16 counting halls. Two counting halls will be dedicated to each Assembly segment. Each counting hall will have seven tables and hence one assembly segment will have 14 tables. Totally, there will be 112 tables. One table will have two counting staff and a micro observer.

The counting staffs have to be present at the centre at 6 am. The strong rooms will be opened at 7 am. The counting staff will report to the duty at the counting tables before 7.30 am. The EVMs will be supplied to the counting tables at 7.55 am. The counting of the votes, including postal ballots will start at 8 am, the DC said.

Postal ballots

The DC said that the postal ballots will be counted manually. Three separate chambers have been arranged for the counting of postal ballots. Three Assistant Returning Officers will be deployed for the counting of postal ballots.

The postal ballots reaching after 8 am will not be considered at any cost. Out of 1,500 postal ballots, only 500 have reached so far, the DC said.

Agents

The candidates should submit the name and photo of the agents, before Tuesday evening. An orientation programme will be held for the  agents at Town hall on May 14 at 11 am, the DC said.

Security measures

The movement of vehicles will be strictly prohibited inside the counting centre. Mobile phones, ipods and laptops will not be allowed inside the counting centre. Beedi, cigarettes and match boxes are restricted. Only pen, pencil and paper are allowed inside the counting hall, the DC said and added that drinking water facility will be made available outside each counting hall.