The Hindu : Front Page : Tight security at counting centre

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Tuesday, Oct 17, 2006
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Tight security at counting centre

Staff Reporter

Madurai Central bypoll result may be out by 10.30 a.m. today

MADURAI: Counting of votes for by-election to the Madurai Central constituency will take place amidst elaborate security here on Tuesday. Hundreds of security personnel have been deployed in and around Madurai Medical College, which is the counting centre.

According to the Inspector General of Police (South Zone) and Commissioner of Police (in-charge), Sanjeev Kumar, the Election Commission has given special instructions with regard to bandobust for the counting process. "Only authorised persons will be allowed to enter the counting centre. The police will put up barricades to block traffic on Gandhi Museum-Collectorate Road," he said.

Besides anti-sabotage checks, doorframe metal detectors have been erected at all entrances.. All visitors will be thoroughly frisked. "The candidate and his chief agent alone will be permitted to enter the counting centre," he added.

An officer in the rank of an Assistant Commissioner of Police took charge of the counting centre on Monday evening. The Deputy Commissioner of Police (Law and Order), N. Arivuselvam, will be the officer in-charge of the centre till the counting process gets over. Steps have been taken to prevent gathering of party cadres in the close vicinity of the centre. A three-tier security arrangement had been made, police sources said.

Votes poled in 154 electronic voting machines will be counted in 11 rounds. "A team of 28 officials in the rank of Deputy Tahsildar has been formed for the counting process. Counting will commence at 8 a.m. and we hope to declare the result by 10.30 a.m.," the Returning Officer, S. Mookiah, said.

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