Security has been tightened with around 100,000 personnel deployed, as the counting of votes for the Tamil Nadu Assembly elections is scheduled to take place on Monday, officials said.
According to Chief Electoral Officer Archana Patnaik, comprehensive three-tier security arrangements have been put in place at all 62 counting centers across the state, to ensure the integrity and smoothness of the counting process.
The counting of votes will begin at 8 am with the counting of postal ballots followed by counting in the electronic voting machine at 8.30 am on May 4, Patnaik said in a statement.
She said that for the purpose of counting the votes recorded in electronic voting machines, 234 counting halls were equipped.
“Counting of votes registered at all polling stations and postal ballots received, numbering 75,064, will be conducted at 62 designated vote counting centers (across Tamil Nadu),” it said.
A total of 3,324 counting tables will be used to count the votes, she said, adding that the counting operations will be carried out by census officers.
She said a total of 10,545 individuals were engaged for counting purposes, supported by 4,624 small observers to ensure the transparency and integrity of the counting process.
While 100,000 police personnel are on duty to maintain strict vigil across the Assembly constituencies, nearly 20,000 security personnel have been deployed in Chennai alone, police officers familiar with the matter said.
Pointing out that 234 counting observers have been deputed for each constituency across the state, Patnaik said that they will supervise the counting procedures and ensure strict adherence as per EC instructions.
Regarding the establishment of three-level security arrangements, the chief electoral officer said that the perimeter of the first level starts from 100 meters around each counting center. She noted, “Entry into this area will be strictly limited to authorized employees. A sufficient number of police personnel will be deployed at entry points.”
The second level of security will be provided by state armed police personnel who will regulate access and prevent unauthorized movement of anyone inside the building.
The third layer of security, the innermost security layer in the counting halls and strong rooms of the EVM, will be manned by Central Armed Police Force (CAPF) personnel.
Patnaik said that 65 companies of the CAPF police force were deployed at counting centers to reinforce the protest.
For the first time, the Election Commission said it has introduced a QR code-based photo ID system through the ECINET mobile application with the aim of preventing any unauthorized entry into counting centres.
At the third security checkpoint, people will be allowed entry only after successful verification through QR code.
Regarding the announcement of results, she said that the constituency wise results of all Assembly constituencies will be announced by the concerned official using the public address system at the respective centers and will also be updated in the commission’s mobile app.
“The results can also be viewed on the online portal results.eci.gov.in,” she added.
Assembly elections were held in Tamil Nadu on April 23.
The DMK, which leads the secular Progressive Alliance comprising Congress and Left parties, is seeking to retain power while its arch-rival, the AIADMK-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA), aims to return to power with its allies including the BJP, Pattali Makkal Katchi (PMK), Amma Makkal Munnetra Kazhagam (AMMK) among others.
Actor and politician Vijay-led Tamilaga Vetri Kazhagam (TVK) is making his debut in the polls this election and is trying to make a mark in the political arena which is largely dominated by Dravidian parties.
