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Andhra Pradesh

Andhra Pradesh

Centres get ready for counting of votes

Staff Reporter

Agents cannot carry cell phones, calculators, cigarettes, lighters, eatables into counting halls

Agents will not be allowed to go out of the hall and if they do, will not be allowed re-entry
No rallies, political meetings on counting day. For rallies on the next day, police permission must

— Photo: MOHD ARIF

Geared up: Elaborate security at one of the centres in Sangareddy.

SANGAREDDY: Arrangements are in place for the counting of votes for 10 Assembly and two Lok Sabha constituencies in Medak district on Saturday.

A total of 122 candidates in the 10 Assembly segments and 19 candidates in two Lok Sabha segments were testing their luck.

These include two Ministers J. Geeta Reddy (Zaheerabad) and Damodar Rajanarasimha (Andol) from Congress and M. Vijayashanti (Medak Lok Sabha) from TRS.

Counting would be taken up at three places- the new Collectorate complex, DRDA office and Tara Government Degree College. Counting would commence at 8 a.m. with postal ballots and the first result is expected from Andol as the number of contesting candidates are less comparing with other constituencies.

The outcome of the result of both the ruling party and the combined opposition -Grand Alliance- may open doors for new equations in the district politics.

During 2004 elections, the combined opposition was able to wash out the then ruling Telugu Desam Party from the district. It has to be seen whether the Congress would be wiped off by the grand alliance.

Similarly, the Telangana Rashtra Samiti (TRS) which had won four Assembly seats during the last elections was less by one seat in the by-elections held in 2008. Though the party contested four seats – Sangareddy, Narayanakhed, Siddipet and Dubbak- in the district, the party leaders themselves are not confident that they would win all the seats.

However, it seems the election game has different equations when it comes to two Lok Sabha seats – Medak and Zaheerabad. The TRS leaders feel that they are placed in acomfortable position in these two seats.

The guess in political circles is that the performance of BJP, PRP and Lok Satta may disappoint the party leaders and cadres as well.

Section 144

Mahabubnagar Correspondent Adds: Section 144 was imposed at all the four counting centres in the town besides making heavy police bandobast arrangements with 1,500 police personnel.

The District Election Officer and Collector K.Damayanthi who inspected all the counting centres said that necessary arrangements were made for the smooth conduct of counting of votes.

The Collector informed that except the candidates no others, including security personnel of the candidates would be allowed into the counting centres. She also said the candidates would not be permitted to enter other counting centres.

Damayanthi informed that a medical team and an ambulance were provided at all the counting centres.

She sought cooperation of the candidates and their agents for the smooth and early completion of counting of votes.

The agents and staff members deputed for the counting should reach their respective counting centres by 7 a.m.

The counting of votes of Mahabubnagar and Jadcherla Assembly constituencies along with Mahabubnagar Lok Sabha will be held at Government Polytechnic college building, Kodangal Assembly constituency at NTR Degree College for women and Narayanpet, Makthal, Deverkadra and Shadnagar will be taken up in the premises of Agriculture market yard.

While the counting of Nagarkurnool, Achampet, Kollapur, Kalwakurthy, Gadwal, Alampur and Wanaparthy along with Nagarkurnool Lok Sabha will be taken up at Jayaprakash Narayan Educational society building.

Nizamabad Staff Reporter adds: For each Assembly constituency, 14 counting tables have been arranged and the result will be out after 15 to 17 rounds of counting of votes. Mandal Parishad Territorial Constituency members, Zilla Parishad Territorial Constituency members and sarpanches are allowed as counting agents. Candidates can also visit the counting centres without security.

According to Collector B. Ramanjaneyulu, the agents will be allowed after proper enquiry by the police and on the recommendation of the district Superintendent of Police. Postal ballots will be counted before the counting process.

However, they will be taken into account only if they are required.

Once counting agents enter the counting halls, they will not be allowed to go out and if they leave in the middle, they will not be allowed re-entry. They cannot carry cell phones, calculators, electronic things, cigarettes, lighters, water bottles and eatables into the counting halls.

The Collector said the counting staff should be present at counting centres by 5.30 a.m. and the agents by 6 a.m. Late-comers will not be allowed after the said timings, he said.

Liquor shops closed

The Excise Department has been directed to ensure the closure of all liquor shops in the district till May 17 evening. The details of the postal ballots cast in each constituency are: Armoor (381), Balkonda (546), Nizamabad rural (486), Nizamabad urban (739), Bodhan (423), Jukkal (473), Banswada (763), Kamareddy (802) and Yellareddy (583) and the Lok Sabha constituency (3,414).

Superintendent of Police M. Jagan Mohan Reddy said the police had arranged tight security and the agents, staff and others would be allowed into the counting halls after thorough checking. They would have to undergo a three-tier checking system before being permitted into the halls.

Entry for media

Every one should behave as per the directions of the Returning Officers and media persons would be allowed in groups. Every time a group of four media persons would be allowed for the coverage. About 800 police personnel were deployed for the security purpose.

On the counting day, political meetings or processions and bursting of crackers would be allowed depending on the situation. On the next day the political parties or persons should seek prior permission for processions or rallies, he said.

Meanwhile, the Collector and the SP went round the counting centres to supervise the arrangements.

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