With the last phase of Lok Sabha election and by-poll coming to an end on Sunday, security in counting centres has been further stepped up ahead of counting on May 23.
The entire campus of Government College of Engineering at Palayamkottai — counting centre for Tirunelveli Lok Sabha constituency — has been illuminated and surveillance cameras fitted around the premises. Watch towers have been erected at vantage points and a three-tier security has been put in place inside and outside.
Students, faculty members and non-teaching staff of GCE are allowed to enter the premises only after thorough frisking. They have been asked to park their vehicles outside the college after EVMs were brought to the strong room. Heavily armed paramilitary personnel are guarding the room round-the-clock.
According to Superintendent of Police, P Ve Arunshakthikumar, police have made three-tier security arrangements at Sri Parasakthi College for Women at Courtallam, which is the counting centre for Tenkasi (Reserved) segment.
“On the day of counting, a police team headed by an Inspector of Police will be deployed at the counting hall, where votes polled in each Assembly constituency are counted on May 23, and a Deputy Superintendent of Police will be in-charge of counting halls of three Assembly constituencies. In all, 507 police personnel will be part of the security arrangements to be made on the day of counting at Sri Parasakthi College for Women,” he said.
