Imphal, April 24: Special security measures have been arranged to ensure smooth counting of votes of the 14th Lok Sabha election 2004 in respect of three counting halls located within the office complex of Imphal West Deputy Commissioner.

The security measures would be implemented in and around the office complex with effect from May 13 till the counting is completely over.

As per an order issued on April 22 by the Deputy Commissioner of Imphal West District Y Surchandra who is also the Returning Officer of the district, entry of persons other than Chief Electoral Officer, Manipur; Election Observers and their Liaison Officers and all persons holding authorized letters issued by the Election Commission of India in connection with the counting of votes as well as all the candidates and their authorized agents have been restricted within the office complex.

Further, entry of counting agents would also be regulated so as to ensure that a maximum of 15 agents for each contesting candidate are inside the office complex at any point of time.

Nobody with exception of security personnel on duty would also be allowed to carry arms and ammunition inside the office complex and carrying of matchbox, inflammable materials, stick, knife, blade and any other sharp instruments; etc which might be used as weapon inside the office complex would also be prohibited.

Entry and exit of all officials/persons concerned would be regulated.

From 6 am to 7 pm, entry and exit would be allowed from the Eastern Gate and from Western Gate (opposite to Economic and Statistics Office) from 7 pm and 6 am and all other gates would remain closed during this time.

Any entry inside the office building should be made only through the main entrance gate at the ground floor of the Block 'H' and all other entry points are to be kept under lock and key, except the entry point of G-3 which would be for security personnel.

No vehicle would also be allowed inside the office complex and all the vehicles belonging to counting agents and officials of election duty would be parked at the office complex of the Registrar Co-operative Societies at Lamphelpat while all the Government vehicles and any other vehicles belonging to the VIPs, Election Observers and candidates or their representatives election agents would be allowed to parked at the complex of the District and Session Judge, Manipur East at Lamphelpat.

Moreover, air the outgoing vehicles from the parking areas would be made to move only through the RIMS Ring Road either towards RIMS or NG College by lane.