The training for the Returning Officers and Assistant Returning Officers for counting of votes in Chennai, Kancheepuram, Tiruvallur and Vellore districts was organised on the Ripon Building premises here on Thursday.
Addressing mediapersons on the sidelines of the training session, Chief Electoral Officer Praveen Kumar said that adequate measures are being taken to ensure a smooth counting process. The counting of votes polled in the April 13 Assembly elections will be held on May 13.
The Election Commission would deploy paramilitary forces at all counting centres in the State and have the entire counting exercise videographed to thwart potential malpractice. No person without a valid identity card would be permitted to enter the counting centres, he said.
In response to a query from presspersons, Mr. Praveen Kumar said that over 52,000 complaints pertaining to violations of the model code of conduct have been registered in the State. Around 1,200 of these complaints pertained to distribution of money to voters, he said. In these cases, charge sheets would have to be filed by May 12.
At the training session, the ROs and AROs were briefed about the counting process. The general observers would randomly check EVMs after each round of counting. This is expected to consume more time for completion of the counting process. Each table would have a micro-observer. More instructions of the counting procedure from the Election Commission are expected on May 9.
