Counting of votes for IW to be conducted in two separate venues’
Imphal (DIPR): All arrangements for the counting of votes on March 10 is in full swing, said District Election Officer, Imphal West Th. Kirankumar, informing that counting for the 13 Assembly Constituencies of the district will be held in two separate venues.
Briefing media persons on Tuesday afternoon, the DEO conveyed that counting for the 13 ACs will take place at the Imphal West DC Office Complex and DM College of Teachers’ Education. He stressed that there will be 4+1 counting halls at the DC Office Complex for Keishamthong AC, Singjamei AC, Sekmai AC, Lamsang AC, Konthoujam AC, Patsoi AC, Wangoi AC, Mayang Imphal AC and a separate hall for ETPBS/PB. Another 3 counting halls (with EVMS) at the DMCTE for Thangmeiband AC, Sagolband AC, Uripok AC, Langthabal AC and Naoriya Pakhanglakpa AC.
The DEO explained that counting will start at 8 AM of March 10 onwards for Postal ballots and counting on EVM will start at 8.30 AM onwards. Returning Officers having two ACs will take up counting in sequential manner, one after completion of another. There will be seven tables per counting hall for EVMs; he said, adding that one table will be designated as VVPAT Counting Booth (VCB). ETBPS Counting will start with the scanning process and counting process for Ballot Papers, he added.
DEO Kirankumar said that 3,45,481 votes were casted on EVM at Polling Stations out of a total of 3,80480. Out of 3280 Postal Ballots for Absentee voters 3215 votes were casted, he disclosed.
He said that Imphal West has 4554 voters on election duty, out of which 229 votes were casted at facilitation centres and another 2711 votes have been received through post as on March 7, 2022. Altogether 1400 Service votes have also been received till March 7, 2022, out of 3194 Service Voters in the district, he added.
He continued that one PB voters on election duty whose AC is not identified in Cover B or 13C shall be taken up to decide the AC or validity at 8AM on counting day in Kombirei Hall of the DC office complex in the presence of DEO and Nodal/ Postal Ballot (Officer in charge) and other ROs and candidates/ agents.
The DEO further said that there are 13 strong rooms at the DC office complex of which eight are with EVMS for Keishamthong AC, Singjamei AC, Sekmai AC, Lamsang AC, Konthoujam AC, Patsoi AC, Wangoi AC, Mayang Imphal AC and another five are empty.
There are another three at the DMTCE for Thangmeiband AC, Sagolband AC, Uripok AC, Langthabal AC and Naoriya Pakhanglakpa AC. The strong rooms have 24×7 CCTV coverage and there is regular inspection on a daily basis. CAPF personnel are on guard 24×7. Candidates and their agents can visit according to official norms and inspect, he added.
For the counting agents, the DEO said that all counting agents should carry their I-Cards issued by the concerned ROs and COVID double-dose vaccination certificate or 72-hour RTPCR Test Report. He said that no mobile phones or cameras are allowed inside the hall and all mobiles will be deposited with the concerned ROs. Agents should not move around unnecessarily, he added.
