To ensure smooth and peaceful counting of votes on May 16, Section 144 of the CrPC has been enforced around the counting centre area in Ghaziabad prohibiting public assembly in Govindpuram (counting venue), and the traffic has been diverted from Hapur Road to other routes.
District magistrate (DM) SVS Ranga Rao made an announcement in this regard at a Press conference on Wednesday. SSP Sachi Ghildiyal, who was also present at the Press conference, said that besides the prohibitory orders under Section 144 of the CrPC, a three-tier security arrangement has been made. Two additional SPs, nine deputy SPs, 10 station officers, 61 sub-inspectors, 64 head constables, 595 constables, one company of PAC and a company of CRPF have been deployed at the counting centre. No mobile phone or laptop will be allowed inside the counting booths. However, journalists can take these devices up to the media centre. They had to deposit them in the media centre if they had to enter the counting booths.