DEO: Arrangements for counting in full swing
Source: Chronicle News Service / DIPR
Imphal, March 08 2022:
All arrangements for the counting of votes on March 10 are in full swing, said Imphal West District Election Officer (DEO) Th Kirankumar on Tuesday, while highlighting that counting for the 13 assembly constituencies of the district will be held at two separate venues.
Briefing media persons on Tuesday afternoon, the DEO said that counting for the 13 ACs will take place at Imphal West DC Office Complex, Lamphel and DM College of Teacher Education (DMCTE).
He informed that there will be 5 (4+1) counting halls at the DC Office Complex for Keishamthong, Singjamei, Sekmai, Lamsang, Konthoujam, Patsoi, Wangoi and Mayang Imphal ACs and a separate hall for ETPBS/PB.
Another 3 counting halls (with EVMs) will be set up at DMCTE for Thangmeiband, Sagolband, Uripok, Langthabal and Naoriya Pakhanglakpa ACs.
Th Kirankumar further informed that the counting will start from 8 am of March 10 for postal ballots, while that of EVMs will start from 8.30 am onwards.
Returning Officers who are in charge of two ACs will take up count ing in sequential manner, one after completion of an other.
There will be seven tables per counting hall for EVMs, he said, adding that one table would be designated as VVPAT Counting Booth (VCB).
ETBPS Counting will start with scanning process and counting process for Ballot Papers, he added.
The DEO then said that 3,45,481 votes out of a total of 3,80,480 voters were cast in EVMs at polling stations while out of 3280 postal ballots for absentee voters, 3215 votes were polled.
He continued that Imphal West has 4554 voters on election duty, out of which 229 votes were cast at facilitation centres and another 2711 votes have been received through post as on March 7 .
Altogether 1400 service votes out of 3194 service voters in the district were also received till March 7, he added.
Kirankumar continued that one PB voter on election duty whose AC is not identified in Cover B or 13C shall be taken up to decide the AC or validity at 8am on counting day in Kombirei Hall of the DC office complex, in the presence of DEO and Nodal/Postal Ballot (Officer in charge) and other ROs and candidates/agents.
The DEO further informed that there are 13 strong rooms at the DC office complex of which 8 are EVMs for Keishamthong AC, Singjamei AC, Sekmai AC, Lamsang AC, Konthoujam AC, Patsoi AC, Wangoi AC, Mayang Imphal AC and another 5 are empty.
Additionally, there are another three at DMTCE for Thangmeiband AC, Sagolband AC, Uripok AC, Langthabal AC and Naoriya Pakhanglakpa AC.
The strong rooms have 24x7 CCTV coverage and there is regular inspection on daily basis, he said, while adding that CAPF personnel are on guard 24x7.Candidates and their agents can visit according to official norms and inspect the same, he conveyed.
For the counting agents, the DEO informed that all counting agents should carry their I-Cards, which have been issued by the ROs concerned, and Covid double-dose vaccination certificate or a 72-hour RTPCR test report.
He also said that no mobile phones or camera will be allowed inside the counting hall and all mobiles will be deposited with the ROs concerned, while advising the agents not to move around unnecessarily.
The counting agents are to wait outside the DC Office complex for DC office and for DMCTE, in their designated parking area, until they are called for by the SDO/RO concerned.
DEO Kirankumar further stated that no unauthorised person will be allowed entry in the counting halls both at Imphal West DC Office Complex and DMCTE.
The southern main gate of DC office shall serve as the lone entry and exit gate; while for DMCTE, the southern main gate of DM University (near PCTC Oil Pump, Khoyathong) shall serve as the entry point of all permitted/authorised individuals.
The exit will be the western gate of the college, leading to Thangmeiband road.
All other remaining gates in respect of DM University will remain closed from 2 pm of March 9 till the end of the counting of votes.
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