Security would be stepped up on Thursday in view of counting of votes from 8 a.m.
With a three-tier-security measure at the counting centres in Tiruchi and Perambalur, the police have drawn up a detailed security scheme. Additional manpower strength has been dispatched by Tiruchi rural police to Perambalur district. Field-level officers in Tiruchi district have been told to be on the move in their respective jurisdiction and in areas demarcated for them during counting of votes to ensure that there was no trouble anywhere or deal with any untoward incident, if any.
A senior police officer said pickets would be posted in the five police sub-divisions: Jeeyapuram, Tiruverumbur, Lalgudi, Musiri and Manapparai falling under the limits of Tiruchi rural police. Maximum number of pickets is to be posted in more than 20 places in Musiri sub-division. Anti-riot vehicle Vajra would be deployed and kept in select areas based on sensitivity. Some strength from Tiruchi rural police has been moved to Karur district, said Superintendent of Police, Tiruchi, Ziaul Haque.
The Perambalur police have mobilised patrol teams and striking forces which would keep moving across the district, said the Superintendent of Police, Disha Mittal. Pickets would be posted in over 40 places. The entire police strength would be mobilised on Thursday and deployed at the respective places. Necessary arrangements have been made at the counting centre. All those entering the counting centre would be subjected to frisking.
The counting centre for the Tiruchi Parliamentary constituency is the Saranathan College of Engineering falling under the limits of the Tiruchi City Police. Around 1,000 police personnel would be deployed at the counting centre and its vicinity. The counting centre for the Perambalur Parliamentary Constituency is the Dhanalakshmi Srinivasan College in Perambalur.
Karur
The stage is set for counting of votes polled in Karur Lok Shaba and Aravakurichi Assembly constituency. Collector-cum-District Election Officer T. Anbalagan said arrangements had been made at M. Kumarasamy College of Engineering, the counting centre. As many as 1,200 police personnel had been drafted to provide security. Strong rooms, where EVMs were kept, would be opened in the presence of agents of candidates. Fourteen tables have been set up at the counting centre.
Counting of postal ballots would be taken up at 8.00 a.m. followed by EVMs. Each table would have a supervisor, an assistant and a micro observer. Counting of votes would be undertaken in the presence of agents of candidates. They should come to the centre before 7.00 a.m. Randomization at 5 a.m. would decide the tables for officials drafted for counting.
He said about 400 personnel had been drafted for counting. They had been asked to report for duty at 5.00 a.m. They would come to know the tables allotted to them after randomization. Counting of votes for Lok Sabha and Assembly constituency would be taken up simultaneously. As many as 80 personnel would be pressed into service for counting of votes for Aravakurichi constituency.
Mr. Anbalagan said that agents would not be allowed to carry mobiles, laptops and other electronic gadgets. They could bring calculator to the counting hall. Lead position would be announced after completion of each round. Chances were bright for announcing the results in the evening.
Shrihari Pratap Shahi, Prashanth Kumar and T.K. Vineeth, Observers appointed by the Election Commission, would monitor the counting. The entire proceedings would be videographed. .
