Srinagar- The Returning Officer (RO) for 02-Srinagar Lok-Sabha constituency, Dr Bilal Mohi-ud-Din Bhat Monday assured transparent vote counting in Srinagar, saying Election Commission of India (ECI) guidelines specifically address the need for transparent, free, and fair counting.
Addressing media at Sheri Kashmir International Convocation Centre (SKICC), the ECI designated counting centre for Srinagar PC, the RO said that elaborate security arrangements have been put in place in and around the venue to ensure peaceful counting.
A team consisting five members of the ECI has also arrived to inspect the arrangements, according to Dr Bilal, the Deputy Commissioner (DC) of Srinagar, adding eighteen counting halls have been set up at SKICC and that the Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) of all eighteen assembly constituencies have been securely stored in a strong room.
As overseers, it is our responsibility to conduct the vote counting in compliance with ECI guidelines and it must be made sure the process ends peacefully. Besides intricate security arrangements, special facilities for polling staff and polling agents have also been made.
He said the counting for 02-Srinagar parliamentary constituency will begin at 8am tomorrow with counting to be started from ETPPS and postal ballot boxes.
“Polling staff consisting of 800 members will oversee the process. 18 halls have been set up at SKICC, each of which has eight counting tables. A micro observer, a counting assistant and a supervisor would be stationed at each table. 800 permits were provided by the administration to the polling agents of the contesting candidates so they could witness the exceptionally transparent table-by-table counting,” said the RO Srinagar PC.
He said all the preparations necessary for a counting centre as per ECI guidelines, whether from the RO side or security viewpoint, have been completed.
The candidates who contested the just concluded Lok-Sabha elections were allowed to assign one agent to each counting table, and that agents were required to report to SKICC by 6:30 am.
“We have made elaborate arrangements for them (polling agents) as well. Given the intense heat, a temporary tent has been erected for them. Lunch, juice, and water will also be provided,” the RO said.
Randomization Of Staff Conducted Successfully
In connection with Counting of Votes scheduled on June 04, 2024 (Tuesday) for Lok Sabha Elections-2024, the second Randomization of Counting Staff for 02-Srinagar Parliamentary Constituency (PC) was successfully conducted as per the guidelines of Election Commission of India (ECI) at the Conference Hall of the DC Office Complex, here.
The Randomization of Counting Staff was held under the supervision of Returning Officer, 02-Srinagar PC, Dr. Bilal Mohi-Ud-Din Bhat in presence of General Observer, Mukul Kumar and Counting Observers for all the 18 Assembly Segments of the Srinagar Lok Sabha Seat.
Senior Superintendent of Police, Aashish Mishra was also present on the occasion.
During the Randomization, Counting Halls were allocated to the Counting Staff deployed at SKICC-Centaur for counting of votes for 02-Srinagar PC comprising 18 Assembly segments of Ganderbal, Srinagar, Budgam (Partly) and Pulwama and Shopian (Partly) Districts.
On the occasion, the designated 630 Officials were classified into teams, each comprising Counting Supervisors, Counting Assistants, and Counting Micro Observers assigned to their respective Counting Halls.
The third and final Randomization of Counting Staff will take place tomorrow morning, during which Counting Tables will be assigned to the Officials designated for Counting of Votes.
The Randomization of Counting Staff was facilitated by dedicated software to ensure transparent, free and fair elections devoid of human interference.
The Randomization process was also video recorded as per the laid guidelines of the Election Commission of India.
Deputy DEO Srinagar, Mir Imtiyaz Ul Aziz, Nodal Officer ETPBS, Mujaba Ahmad Banday and other Officers of District Election Authority were also present on the occasion.
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
Follow this link to join our WhatsApp group: Join Now
Be Part of Quality Journalism |
Quality journalism takes a lot of time, money and hard work to produce and despite all the hardships we still do it. Our reporters and editors are working overtime in Kashmir and beyond to cover what you care about, break big stories, and expose injustices that can change lives. Today more people are reading Kashmir Observer than ever, but only a handful are paying while advertising revenues are falling fast. |
| ACT NOW |
| MONTHLY | Rs 100 |  |
| YEARLY | Rs 1000 | |
| LIFETIME | Rs 10000 | |
