Mandya: In order to maintain the law and order during the Lok Sabha election vote counting, Returning Officer/Deputy Commissioner Dr. P C Jaffer has clamped prohibitory orders in the district on May 23 and 24.
Speaking to media, here on Saturday, May 18 he said, “The prohibitory orders will be in effect from 6 AM of May 23 till May 24 midnight. During the counting, the victory rally, celebrations and firecracker explosions are totally banned. This applies to towns and villages of the district as well.”
“We have taken this action keeping in mind the chances of untoward incidents that could possibly arise between the losing and winning candidates’ supporters”, he added.
Jaffer has also said that carrying weapons of any form, fire crackers and raising slogans on loud speakers are strictly prohibited and that these prohibitory measures were not applicable for marriage functions, funerals and for the security personnel.
“After training the government officials in counting process, the process will began at 8 AM on May 23. At first, postal ballots will be counted and later, the election observers will count two VVPATs of each polling booth and tally the vote shares”, he said.
Jaffer said, “Only in Mandya and Maddur, counting will be held in two separate rooms, while the rest of the areas will be having two rooms each. The counting in Srirangapatna and Malavalli assembly constituencies will be carried out in classrooms of post graduate colleges and in government college building for the remaining constituencies.”
“Around 113 tables have been set for the counting and each table will be consisting of one polling agent. Already the candidates have been informed to appoint their agents. Except media persons and few officials, no one will be allowed to carry mobile phones with them.
For security, Border Security Force personnel, Central Reserve Police and paramilitary forces have been deployed.
Supply of liquor is strictly prohibited from May 22 midnight.
