Make-shift strong room at Pandara where electronic voting machines (EVMs) have been kept for the counting on December 23 is being monitored round-the-clock through two dozen CCTV cameras installed at various locations with a three-tier security cover by the CRPF, JAP-I and State police personnel.
No one without having an authority is being allowed to venture near the strong rooms where the fate of candidates in the fray, are locked into the EVMs.
“Adequate security arrangements have been done here to ensure safety ofelectronic voting machines (EVMs) kept here for the six Assembly constituencies in Ranchi. Returning officer is also ensuring his visit daily at least once here,” said OC of Pandara police station Manoj Kumar.
According to Kumar, no one beyond the entry point was being allowed by the security people without having authentication.
Round-the-clock monitoring of the premises is being done through two dozen CCTV cameras installed at different locations, added Kumar.
In order to avoid any untoward situation, round the clock electricity supply has also been ensured in and around the premises with a back up of two heavy DG sets,” Kumar added.
The representatives of various political parties, who are also camping near the strong room, also expressed satisfaction over the security arrangements near the strong room. “It seems everything is in order with the senior administrative officials making rounds along with the police force taking reports at regular intervals,” said Vikas Mahto of JMM who has been camping there round the clock since December 12.
District Electoral Officer Vinay Kumar Chaubey along with SSP Prabhat Kumar on Friday also visited the premises and took stock of the security arrangements as well as the ongoing preparations for the counting day.
According to Chaubey, counting will start at 8 am and the counting of postal ballots will be done first followed by the counting of EVMs. “Hatia will have maximum number of tables while Silli has the minimum number of counting tables,” said Chaubey.
Counting for all the 81 Assembly seats will be done on December 23 at 24 counting centers across the State. Separate counting hall has been set up for each of the Assembly seat with Boria and Barhait having two and three halls respectively. As many as 3936 counting personnel have been deployed for all the 81 Assembly seats in order to conduct smooth counting across the State.