Election Commission and Police Department ready for vote-counting tomorrow

The administration is all set for the counting of votes of Karjan by-elections strictly following the Covid guidelines. The counting of votes will be conducted on Tuesday with all the necessary vigilance at the Polytechnic College among the tight security of city and district police as well as paramilitary forces. As per the directions of Deputy Commissioner of Police Shri Deepak Meghani, one Assistant Commissioner of Police, 4 Police Inspectors, 8 PSI, and 98 jawans will be on duty, as per the information given by Assistant Commissioner of Police P.H. Bhensaniya.
District Election Officer and Collector Shalini Agarwal, along with Election Commission observer Jata Shankar Choudhary along with Deputy Commissioner of Police Deepak Meghani and District Police Chief Sudhir Desai did a detailed inspection of the arrangements of the counting center and gave last-minute instructions. Deputy District Election Officer R.P. Joshi and Karjan Constituency Election Officer and Province Officer K.R. Patel have coordinated the counting of votes with Covid 19 precautions.

Areas within the Polytechnic College where the votes are to be counted are constantly being sanitized.

Informing that it is mandatory for the staff and candidates on duty at the counting center, including their agents, to wear masks, District Election Officer Shalini Agarwal said, 2 for EVM counting and 1 for postal counting have been arranged in three rooms. In order to maintain social distance, 7 tables have been kept in one room and 4 in the other room, and 2 tables in the postal voting room. The counting will be done under the watchful eye of CCTV and videography. Those who are involved in counting will be wearing masks, face shields, and gloves with sanitization.

The health department will have two teams at the first entrance of the polling station to check the body temperature with a thermal gun and oxygen level with a pulse oximeter. Everyone has to wear a mask and also wear it inside. Mobile and electronic gadgets are banned inside.

The RO will upload the votes received in each round on the Election Commission’s website and make it public. Separate arrangements have been made for entry into the counting room by barricading for EVM staff, counting staff and candidate as well as agents.

The District Election Officer discussed various matters with top police officials, including frisking through metal detectors through the first and second entrances, mobile deposit arrangements. A large LED screen has been placed near the main entrance where the results can be viewed once uploaded.

A large 12 by 10 led screen has been set up at the main entrance of the counting center at the Polytechnic for easy access to the results as per the instructions of the District Election Officer. R.O. will give details of each round of calculation and upload which can be seen on this screen. As a result, the progress in the counting of votes and the status of the votes received by the candidates can be easily seen even outside the Center.

There would be a complete ban on the movement of vehicles on the road, and people will have to use an alternative road except for election work. In addition, traffic will be regulated on the main road just outside the front door of the Polytechnic College under the instructions of DCP and ACP of Traffic. Other rules regarding this will be enforced on Tuesday in the area.

There will also be CCTV cameras and videography on the outside. To ensure social distance is maintained inside the polling counting center, circles will be drawn at points. Paramilitary forces are on duty inside, especially at the Strong Room, and will be assisted by local police. There will be a separate enclosure for females. Necessary arrangements will be provided by the district police to the winning and rival candidates.