Tamil Nadu - Others   

Stage set for counting of votes

Staff Reporter

Sivaganga: A ll electronic voting machines that were brought from various polling booths in Karaikudi, Sivaganga, Manamadurai, Thirupattur and Ilayankudi constituencies in the district were kept in strong rooms at Alagappa Engineering College and Polytechnic in Karaikudi, the counting centre.

The rooms were sealed in the presence of District Election Officer-cum-Collector Anand Patil, poll observers, candidates and agents of various candidates.

Security has been tightened throughout the district in view of the counting of votes on Thursday.

S. Nallasivam, Superintendent of Police, who supervised the security arrangements at the counting centre on Tuesday, said that 700 policemen were pressed into service to ensure incident-free counting. Three companies of Central Reserve Paramilitary Force and one company of Tamil Nadu Special Police were posted at the counting centre. Anti-sabotage team, bomb disposable squad and other important units would be present at the counting centre.

Only eligible persons, agents of candidates and officials would be allowed to enter the counting centre. They should carry cards issued by the Election Commission. Similarly, security had been beefed up in various sensitive areas of the district.

The district recorded an average of 64.37 per cent votes. The polling was 70.4 per cent in Thirupattur, 66.53 in Ilayankudi, 62.70 in Sivaganga, 62.92 in Karaikudi and 64.37 in Manamadurai.

Ramanathapuram

The votes registered in Kadaladi, Ramanathapuram, Thiruvadanai, Paramakudi and Muthukulathur have been kept at Sethupathy Government Arts College in Ramanathapuram, the counting centre, amidst police security.

Collector K. Sellamuthu, who visited the counting centre, said all EVMs were kept in safe rooms after verifying all necessary documents and procedures. Elaborate arrangements have been made to ensure smooth conduct of counting.

Outsiders and unknown persons would not be allowed inside the centre. A media centre was established at the counting centre.

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