Lucknow, March 9 (UNI) Election Commission of India (ECI) has taken appropriate steps for the smooth conduct of counting of votes for 403 seats in the 7 phases polling for Uttar Pradesh assembly polls for Thursday, officials informed on Wednesday. The counting starts at 0800hrs on Thursday morning. ECI has also banned the taking out of any victory procession while liquor shops would be closed on Thursday in the state. In all the 75 districts, section 144 of the CrPC has been promulgated. All the counting centers at all 75 districts have literally been turned into a fortress. While the opposition is raising questions about the negligence in the security arrangements of Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs), but on the other hand the police-administration is busy making preparations to ensure a peaceful counting of votes. Under a special strategy, security arrangements are being made in all the districts. There will be a tight vigil by the police, particularly in sensitive areas. The DGP headquarters has made special arrangements to monitor the counting process and law and order in all the districts. ADG Law and Order Prashant Kumar here on Wednesday said that 250 companies of Central Armed Police Force will be deployed for counting of votes on March 10. Apart from this, 61 company PACs, 625 gazetted police officers, 1,807 inspectors, 9,598 sub-inspectors, 11,627 chief constables and 48,649 constables will be on duty for counting, he added. He said 36 company central force will be on guard of EVMs and 214 company central force will be on duty for counting of votes and law and order. Strict instructions have been given to the police officers of all zones, ranges and districts regarding security arrangements in and around the counting places. Along with this, additional police force will be ready in all sensitive areas.
Comments are closed.