Karnal, Kaithal admn well prepared for vote counting

Parveen Arora

Tribune News Service

Karnal, October 7

As the crucial day of vote counting approaches on October 8, the administrations of Karnal and Kaithal districts have finalised all necessary arrangements to ensure a smooth and transparent process. Officials have been working diligently, from deploying counting staff to setting up tables, to ensure that the election results are delivered efficiently in adherence to the Election Commission’s guidelines.

In Karnal, the authorities conducted a second randomisation of counting staff in the presence of the General Observer. Karnal Deputy Commissioner-cum-District Election Officer Uttam Singh, along with Kaithal Deputy Commissioner-cum-District Election Officer Dr Vivek Bharti inspected the counting centres in their respective districts.

“Staff members have been assigned their Assembly constituencies for the counting process,” said Uttam Singh, adding that the final randomisation will take place early in the morning of the counting day, where staff will be assigned specific counting tables.

For each of the five Assembly constituencies in Karnal district, 15 tables will be set up—14 for counting and one for the Returning Officer. Additionally, 20 per cent reserve staff members have been randomised for backup purposes. Seven tables will be arranged for postal ballots in the constituencies of Karnal, Nilokheri, Indri, and Gharaunda, while in Assandh, where there are more service voters, 11 tables will be used for postal ballot counting. The randomisation process for these tables has already been completed.

Dr Vivek Bharti said duty magistrates had been deployed at various checkpoints and outside the counting centres in Kaithal. CCTV cameras had been installed to monitor these centres, and no one would be allowed to enter without a valid duty pass.

A total of 807 booths were established across the four Assembly constituencies in Kaithal district. Fourteen counting tables have been arranged for each constituency, with one additional table for the Returning Officer. The vote counting for the Guhla and Kalayat constituencies will take place in 15 rounds each, while in Kaithal it will take place in 16 rounds and Pundri in 14 rounds.

In Karnal, the EVMs have been stored in secure rooms at various locations, including DAV Senior Secondary School for Karnal, DAV PG College for Gharaunda, SD Senior Secondary School for Indri and SD Model School for Nilokheri and Assandh segments. Similarly, secure rooms have been set up at different buildings of IB College in Kaithal for the Pundri and Guhla segments, with RKSD College hosting the strongroom for Kaithal and RKSD School for Kalayat.

Karnal’s Superintendent of Police (SP) Mohit Handa has issued a traffic advisory for commuters near the counting centres. Alternate routes have been provided to manage traffic, including closures of major routes around the counting routes.

In Kaithal, security has been intensified with approximately 800 police personnel deployed at the counting centres. Kaithal Superintendent of Police Rajesh Kalia emphasised that only authorised personnel would be allowed entry after thorough screening and prohibited items such as mobile phones, pens, weapons, and electronic devices would not be permitted inside the centres.

SP Kalia warned against spreading false information on social media. He said strict legal action would be taken against those attempting to disrupt peace during the counting process. The police have also issued a traffic advisory for commuters.

Duty magistrates deployed at checkpoints

Deputy Commissioner-cum-District Election Officer Dr Vivek Bharti inspected the counting centres in their respective districts. Dr Vivek Bharti said duty magistrates had been deployed at various checkpoints and outside the counting centres in Kaithal. CCTV cameras had been installed to monitor these centres, and no one would be allowed to enter without a valid duty pass.