DC and CP visits counting centres and strong room
No outsider to stay in after 6 pm on May 26: Varinder
By Amrit Pal Singh Brar
Jalandhar, 22 May 2018: District administration would make three tier security arrangements during the counting of votes for the by-election of Shahkot assembly segment slated to take place on May 31.
Divulging the details, the Deputy Commissioner Jalandhar Mr. Varinder Kumar Sharma and Commissioner of Police Mr. Praveen Kumar Sinha, who reviewed the security arrangements of the counting centre here at the office of Director Land Records Punjab where counting of votes was to be done, said that the administration was duty bound to ensure that the entire process was completed in a peaceful and transparent manner. They said that for the security of the Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) and the VVPAT Machines the Para Military Force would be deployed at the counting centre. Likewise, they said that round the clock surveillance of the machines would also be ensured through the CCTV cameras that would be installed in the premises of the counting centre.
They said that after the completion of voting in Shahkot on May 28, the EVMs and the VVPAT machines would be shifted to the strong room to be formed here and the administration would ensure foolproof security arrangements for it. Likewise, both the officers said that the access to the staff and representatives of the political parties would given after thorough check up adding that identity cards would be issued to the people going inside the counting centre. They said that 70 member counting staff would be deputed in the counting centre for the counting votes.
Both the officers said that the staff would be divided into 13 teams with three members each on every table. They said that no stone would be left unturned to ensure that the counting was held in a peaceful and transparent manner besides in consonance with the guidelines of the Election Commission.
No outsider to stay in after 6 pm on May 26: Varinder
The Election Commission has issued instructions to restrict the presence of political functionaries, party workers, procession functionaries and campaign functionaries, who have been brought from outside the Assembly Constituency of Shahkot after the end of campaign at 6 pm on May 26th.
Deputy Commissioner cum District Election Officer Jalandhar Mr. Varinder Kumar Sharma said that the district and Police administration was duty-bound to ensure that all functionaries, who were not the voters, leave Shahkot assembly constituency immediately after the campaign ends for the by-poll 48 hours, before the polling day i.e. May 28th.
He said that the Election and Police administration would keep a close check on the community centres, guest houses and lodges to keep a track of the list of occupants besides setting up check pots in constituency borders and track vehicular movement from outside the constituency. Mr. Sharma said that any violation could be directly brought to his or the other election related officer’s notice, so that required action could be taken against the erring.