AIADMK general secretary Jayalalithaa has urged the Election Commission to deploy paramilitary forces at all counting centres in the State and have the entire counting exercise videographed to thwart potential malpractice.
In a letter to Chief Electoral Officer Praveen Kumar, Ms. Jayalalithaa also wanted the counting process to commence in the presence of an observer deputed by the Election Commission, and the observer's presence ensured throughout the exercise until the declaration of result by the Returning Officer.
“The Election Commission is requested to deploy paramilitary forces at all the counting centres in the State in order to ensure that law and order is maintained from the commencement of counting of votes till the declaration of election (result) is made by the Returning Officers. Paramilitary forces may be deployed to prevent any intruder without a valid identity card from entering the counting centres,” the letter said.
Ms. Jayalalithaa also wanted the entire counting process, from the removal of seal of each Electronic Voting Machine through the counting of votes in each EVM, to be videographed.
“The result of the counting of votes of each round should be displayed on the notice board in the presence of all candidates and only after the result of one round is displayed should the counting of votes of the next round commence in order to ensure that there is transparency in the counting process,” Ms. Jayalalithaa said.
She urged the Election Commission to consider her appeal on an urgent basis and issue appropriate instructions.
