Heavy security arrangements at counting centres |
Tight security arrangements have been made for the counting of votes for the 17th Lok Sabha and Assembly elections in Andhra Pradesh, Odisha, Sikkim and Arunachal Pradesh. The counting process started at 8 am on Thursday morning. Counting of Electronically Transmitted Postal Ballot System (ETPBS) and Postal Ballots will be taken up first. Counting personnel will randomly select five EVMs from each Assembly segments for matching with VVPAT slips as directed by the Supreme Court. The Apex Court had on April 8 asked the Election Commission to increase the random matching of VVPAT slips with EVMs from one to five polling booths per assembly segments in Lok Sabha polls. On Tuesday, the Supreme Court rejected a PIL seeking 100 per cent matching of VVPAT slips with EVMs. Elaborate security arrangements have been made to ensure smooth and hassle-free counting. There will be three-tier security in place with the outer cordon beginning 100 metres away from the counting centre. Prohibitory orders under section 144 of the Code of Criminal Procedure will be promulgated within 100 meters of the counting centres. No one will be permitted to carry mobile phones inside the counting centres.
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