The counting of votes for the Lok Sabha elections will take place on Tuesday (June 4). All necessary preparations have been made as per the guidelines of the Election Commission, informed Belagavi District Election Officer and Deputy Commissioner Nitesh Patil.
Addressing a press conference at the media center on Sunday (June 2) after inspecting the preparations at R.P.D. College premises in Belagavi city, where the vote counting for Belagavi Lok Sabha Constituency-02 will be held, Patil provided an update.
Before the commencement of the vote counting, the strong rooms where the voting machines are stored will be opened in the presence of election observers, candidates, and election agents.
The counting of EVM votes will begin at 8 AM. Two separate rooms have been set up for the counting of postal votes. The Election Commission of India has deployed eight technicians to handle any technical issues.
So far, 11,148 postal ballots have been received. Postal ballots will be opened 8 AM on the day of counting.
A total of 552 supervisors/micro observers and counting staff have been appointed for the vote counting. Fourteen personnel along with three additional staff members will be assigned to each assembly constituency. Seats will be arranged for the agents present at the counting center in accordance with Form 7.
Mobile, Beedi, Cigarette Ban:
The use of mobile phones is prohibited inside the counting center. Additionally, the bringing of tobacco, beedis, cigarettes, and pan is not allowed, stated Deputy Commissioner Nitesh Patil. Arrangements for snacks and meals have been made for the counting staff, and a paid canteen will be set up for the convenience of candidates and agents.
Alcohol Sale Prohibited Throughout the District:
In light of the vote counting, the sale and transportation of alcohol are completely banned across the district. Furthermore, a prohibition order under Section 144 of the CrPC will be enforced within a 200-meter radius of the counting center, disallowing processions or victory celebrations, he said.
71.49% Voter Turnout:
In the Belagavi Lok Sabha Constituency-02, the overall voter turnout was 71.49%. Out of the total 1,923,788 voters, 1,375,383 people cast their votes. All preparations have been made for a smooth and transparent vote-counting process as per the guidelines of the Election Commission, Nitesh Patil confirmed.
Tight Police Security:
Speaking on the occasion, Belagavi Police Commissioner Yada Martin Marbaniang stated that tight security will be provided, including the deployment of five KSRP platoons. CCTV cameras have been installed at 300 locations in the city, and surveillance will also be carried out using drones. Thirteen inspectors will be working under the leadership of two DCPs at the counting center. All arrangements, including smooth traffic flow and parking, have been made, he said.
Following this, the officials, including Deputy Commissioner Nitesh Patil and Police Commissioner Yada Martin Marbaniang, inspected the vote counting rooms, parking, security personnel deployment, food arrangements, media center, and other facilities.
Additional Deputy Commissioner Vijaykumar Honakeri, City Corporation Commissioner Lokesh P.N., Joint Director of Food Department Shreeshail Kankanawadi, Deputy Director of Information and Public Relations Department Gurunath Kadaboor, Tehsildar Siddaray Bhogasi, and officials from various departments were present.