Punjab polls: Three-tier security system in place for counting today

The area around the counting centres within a radius of 100 metres has been declared a ‘pedestrian zone’

Chandigarh: The Election Commission of India (ECI) has set up 117 centres at 66 locations across 23 districts of Punjab for counting of votes, scheduled to start at 8am on Thursday.

The Election Commission of India (ECI) has set up 117 centres at 66 locations across 23 districts of Punjab for counting of votes, scheduled to start at 8am on Thursday.

The polls for 117 assembly constituencies in Punjab were held on February 20 and a total 1,54,69,618 voters exercised their right to franchise.

Personnel from 45 companies of the Central Armed Police Forces (CAPF) have been deployed at the counting centres. Around 7,500 officials will be deputed for the counting process in the state, said Punjab chief electoral officer (CEO) S Karuna Raju.

The area around the counting centres within a radius of 100 metres has been declared a “pedestrian zone” and no one will be allowed to drive in that zone, Raju said. To prevent the entry of unauthorised persons in the counting centres, three-tier cordoning points have been set up. “The entry of any unauthorised person in the counting centres is not allowed. The first cordoning point had been established at the beginning of a 100-meter radius, where senior magistrates, along with the police force will remain posted to control the crowd. The second cordon point would be at the gate of the counting centre, where the state armed police forces have been deployed, and at the third cordon point has been set up at the entrance of the counting hall, which will be manned by the CAPF, he said.

He said that except from the still and video cameramen deployed for the government record, no one will be allowed to record or click still photographs.

No victory processions

Raju said prohibitory measures under Section 144 of the Code of Criminal Procedure (CrPC) have been imposed in all districts and gathering of people outside the counting centres is prohibited. The ECI, Raju said, has imposed a ban on victory processions in view the Covid-19 protocols. “Only two persons are permitted to accompany the winning candidate receiving certificate from the returning officer,” he said.

Mobile app for poll result

The election results can be obtained from the official website of CEO Punjab --- ceopunjab.gov.in or results.eci.gov.in. Besides, results can also be obtained from voter helpline mobile application, he said.

The day of counting has been declared a dry day by the government till the process is completed.

Raju clarified that mobile phones, iPads, laptops or any other electronic device, which can record sound and video are not allowed in the counting centres. He said prohibition orders would not apply to observers deputed by the commission.

Procedure for declaration of results

According to the instructions of the Election Commission, 14 counting tables have been set up at each counting centre, meaning votes in 14 EVMs will be counted simultaneously. Separate tables will be set up for the counting of the ETPB (Electronically Transmitted Postal Ballot System) issued to service voters and officers/staff engaged in election duty. There will be at least 15-20 rounds of counting depending on number of polling stations in each constituency. Poll results will be updated after every round of counting. An EVM take 15-20 minutes to count votes. Counting will begin at 8am with postal ballots, followed by counting of votes in EVMs at 8.30am. Trends will start arriving between 9am and 9.30am.