A 5-layer security of paramilitary personnel and 450 policemen has been deployed at Chithod Government Engineering College counting center where registered ballot boxes are kept in Erode East assembly constituency. Counting of votes will take place tomorrow.
by-election
Mr. Evera, who was the MLA of Erode East Assembly Constituency, passed away suddenly on January 4. Following this, the Election Commission announced the by-election on January 18.
DMK in this election. E.V.K.S.Elangovan, A.D.M.K. is the Congress Party candidate on behalf of the Secular Progressive Alliance. On behalf of former MLA KS Thenarasu, DMDK. S. Anand as a candidate, 77 people including Maneka Navaneethan on behalf of Naam Tamilar Party contested.
Voting
The Erode East Assembly Constituency by-election was held the day before yesterday. Even though the polling time ended at 6 pm, voters were waiting at many polling booths, and everyone was allowed to vote after being given a token.
Voting took place till 9 pm only in Rajajipuram polling station. Subsequently, electronic voting machines, control devices and VVPAD devices were duly sealed in all 238 polling stations in Erode East.
Vote counting centre
Later, the police and revenue officials collected the ballot boxes from the polling officers and took them to the counting centers under heavy police security. All the ballot boxes were brought to the Government Engineering College (IRDT) at Chithot. The box which was already ready there was taken to the storage room. Voting machines with respective numbers were placed at appropriate places. One control device each, one VV pad device each and 5 electronic voting machines each brought from 238 polling stations were kept there safely.
Seal deposit
After ensuring that the surveillance cameras installed in the security room are working properly, the security room is sealed and locked. The sealing work was done yesterday morning in the presence of Erode District Collector H. Krishnanunni, general election observer Rajkumar Yadav, Deputy Superintendent of Police Shekhar and political party agents.
Subsequently Chithod Government Engineering College was brought under the control of the police. The police are also monitoring there through surveillance cameras. Counting of votes from 8 am tomorrow (Thursday). begins.
5 layers of protection
Apart from paramilitary personnel, 450 policemen namely Tamil Nadu Special Security Force and Erode District Police are involved in this security operation.
A total of 5 layers of security have been put in place with Central Security Force soldiers in 2 layers, Armed Forces Police carrying guns, Tamil Nadu Special Forces Police and District Police in 3 layers.
In this situation yesterday, a consultation meeting regarding the counting of votes was held in the presence of Collector H. Krishnanunni and General Election Observer Rajkumar Yadav at the counting center. Earlier they visited the backup room and counting centre.
15 rounds count
Following this Collector Krishnanuni said:-
Paramilitary personnel are engaged in 24-hour security around the counting center and security room. 48 surveillance cameras are installed for round the clock operation. Apart from these, 450 policemen are on duty to monitor the route leading to the counting centre. This security work will continue in 3 rounds of 150 personnel on a rotational basis. All security arrangements have been made in detail as per the instructions of the Election Commission.
More than 100 employees are involved in the counting of votes. Counting of votes will be done in 15 rounds in 16 tables.
This was said by Collector Krishnanunni.
Erode East Constituency Returning Officer K. Sivakumar, Assistant Returning Officer Muthukrishnan and officials, candidates and agents participated in the meeting.