A representative image of voting.
Credit: iStock photo
Srinagar: Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) J&K, Pandurang K Pole today announced that the counting of votes for the Jammu and Kashmir Assembly Elections 2024 will commence at 8 AM on October 8. A total of 28 counting centres have been established for the 90 assembly constituencies in the 20 districts of the Union Territory.
“There are 28 counting centres across the J&K and we are fully prepared for the counting,” Pole said. He added that all the EVMs have been securely placed in the strong rooms of all the district headquarters.
The CEO further remarked that comprehensive security arrangements have been made for the process, including a three-tier security cover established around each counting centre.
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Pole stated that adequate checkpoints have been set up within a 100-meter perimeter of each counting centre and CCTV cameras have been installed in all strong rooms where the EVMs are stored to closely monitor all activities.
“Unauthorized individuals will be restricted from entering these areas and CCTV cameras have been installed at the main entrance and throughout the entire premises of the counting centres to ensure comprehensive monitoring”, the CEO added.
Pole stated that postal ballots will be counted first, followed by the counting of Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) after 30 minutes, adding that accurate information on each round of counting will be uploaded in a timely manner.
Strong rooms will be opened in presence of candidates and their authorized representatives as well as the Returning Officers (ROs) or Assistant Returning Officers (AROs), and ECI observers. The entire process will be videographed and mobile phones will not be allowed inside counting centres.
The CEO highlighted that during the process, only authorized individuals, officials, or staff will be permitted inside and around the counting centres and the public and political party representatives are requested not to crowd the counting centres and check the results at home.
Pole further said that two counting centres each have been set up for the Kupwara, Samba, Jammu, Udhampur and Reasi Districts. Three counting centres have been set up for migrants while one counting centre each has been established for the remaining districts, where the counting will take place.
He added that to monitor the counting process, various counting observers have also been appointed by Election Commission of India. The results will be also be posted on the Election Commission of India’s website https://results.eci.gov.in/ and Voter Helpline App.
Pole further said that media centres have been set up at the counting centres for the press to access the latest updates. Social media posts will be closely monitored to prevent the spread of any rumours related to the counting.
Assembly Elections 2024 | In the first assembly polls since the Lok Sabha elections, Narendra Modi and the BJP face a rejuvenated and vindicated Opposition in the Haryana assembly polls. Meanwhile, Jammu and Kashmir is voting after almost a decade and it remains to be seen how the abrogation of Article 370 has impacted the political landscape of the Valley. Track the latest coverage, live news, in-depth opinions, and analyses only on Deccan Herald.