At least 292 observers have been appointed and 256 companies of central forces deployed at the counting centres spread across 23 districts of the state that voted in eight phases between March 27 and April 29
Security personnel deployed outside the Netaji Indoor Stadium, Kolkata, on the eve of counting day for the West Bengal Assembly Polls. Pic/PTI
The Election Commission has made elaborate arrangements for counting of votes today for the West Bengal assembly polls and put in place measures to ensure strict adherence to health and safety protocols, amid a raging second wave of COVID-19, an official said. A three-tier security arrangement has been in place at 108 counting centres where polled electronic voting machines (EVMs), along with voter-verifiable paper audit trail (VVPAT) units have been kept in strong rooms, he said.
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At least 292 observers have been appointed and 256 companies of central forces deployed at the counting centres spread across 23 districts of the state that voted in eight phases between March 27 and April 29. South 24 Parganas district has the maximum number of counting centres at 15, while Kalimpong, Alipurduar and Jhargram have one each.
Counting has begun at 8 am today. Steps have been taken in view of the cases to ensure that guidelines are strictly followed during the counting, the official said. All the EVMs and VVPATs at the counting centres will be sanitised before the commencement of the process. “Masks, face shields and sanitisers will be kept outside the centres for those involved in the exercise. At least 15 rounds of sanitisation will be done at each centre during the process. We have made arrangements,” he said.
Kerala poll results may be delayed
Even though counting of votes for the 140-member Kerala Assembly began at sharp 8 am today, the final results could well be delayed till early evening. The reason for this is the huge number of postal ballots. Compared to the 2016 assembly polls, there are over 4.54 lakh postal votes this time, as owing to COVID-19, people above 80 used it.
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