Bathinda, March 10, 2017: The Election Observers today visited the counting centers wherein counting for the vidhan sabha elections is to be conducted on March 11. Observers deputed by the ECI including Mr P Sainthal deputed for the Rampura Phul , Bathinda urban observer Mr Divakar Nath Misra, Talwandi Sabo observer Mr Anil Kumar, Bathinda rural observer Mr Vinay Nigam, Bhucho Mandi observer Mr Sanjay Kumar Jain and Maur Mandi observer Mr Roohi Khan visited respective counting centers.
District Election Officer Mr Ghanshyam Thori said that security arrangements in and around the counting centers have been completed so that the entire process is conducted peacefully. He added that the counting staff will reach respective counting centers at 7 am and the counting will begin at 8 am. He said that the counting of postal ballots will begin at 8 am while that of the EM machines is likely to begin from 8:30 am. After every round the observer can select any two machines randomly for re-checking.
He added that on March 11, the counting of 90-Rampura and 92-Bathinda urban will be done at Institute of Hotel Management (IHM). Similarly, counting of 91-Bhucho Mandi (SC) and 93-Bathinda rural (SC) will be conducted at PESCO on Mansa Road. The counting of 94-Talwandi Sabo and 95-Maur will be done at Central University of Punjab campus Mansa Road. He directed the Returning Officers to ensure that all arrangements are put in place.
Meanwhile, the final training of entire election staff was conducted today. The training of Rampura Phul constituency was conducted at Government Polytechnic College Bibiwala Road, of Bhucho Mandi constituency was conducted at DC meeting hall in District Administrative Complex (DAC), of Bathinda city was conducted at SDM Office in DAC, of Bathinda rural was conducted at meeting hall of Municipal Corporation Bathinda, of Talwandi Sabo was conducted at zila parishad complex and of Maur was conducted in conference hall of DAC. He directed all the employees to adhere by ECI rules.
He added that the third and final randomization will be conducted on the morning of March 11 at respective counting centers. He said that total417 people have been deputed on counting duty that include 139 each counting supervisors, counting assistants and micro observers.