Security scaled up for counting of votes on December 23 in J&K

SRINAGAR :  Security cover and other arrangements are in place for the counting of votes on December 23 in 87 Assembly constituencies which went to the polls in five phases in Jammu and Kashmir, recording 66 per cent voter turnout, five per cent more than what was witnessed in 2008.    This was the highest voter turnout during the past 25 years in the state which witnessed militant activities for about two decades.
Though different opinion poll have predicted hung  assembly, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) is shown as a single largest party followed by Bharatiya  Janata Party.    Authorities have imposed restrictions in some areas under Section 144 CrPC and also banned sale of crackers to ensure peaceful counting of votes.
Though a majority of separatist leaders, arrested or put under house arrest before the start of first phase of polling have been released, there was no relief for chairman of hardliner Hurriyat Conference (HC) Syed Ali Shah Geelani and number of other Jammu and Kashmir Liberation Front leaders.    The fate of 835 candidates was sealed by 66 per cent  voters out of 72,59,293 total electorate in all the 87 constituencies spread over 22 districts in all the three regions of Kashmir valley, Ladakh and Jammu regions.
Prominent among those in the fray included Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, his cabinet colleagues, Deputy Chief Minister Tara Chand, Peoples Democratic Party patron Mufti Mohammad Sayeed, present and former MLAs.
The ruling National Conference (NC) has to defend 28 constituencies, PDP 21, Congress 17, BJP 11, National Panthers Party (NPP) three and Communist Party of India (M) one.    The first phase in 15 assembly segments was held on  November 25 while the last and fifth phase on December 20.    The Electronic Voting Machines in which the fate of 835 candidates had been sealed, were put in strong rooms which will be opened only on counting day on December 23, officials said.    A large number of security force and state police  personnel remained deployed outside strong rooms. Agents of different candidates were also keeping a close watch on strong rooms.    Officials said that necessary training was given to  officials for counting of votes.
In Srinagar, the counting of votes in 8 assembly constituencies would be held at S K International Convention Complex (SKICC) on the bank of Dal Lake,    The entire area has been sealed and a large number of security force and state police personnel remained deployed in and outside the SKICC.
An official spokesperson said an orientation programme for counting of votes was conducted at the Excise and Taxation Complex, under the supervision of Additional Deputy Commissioner, Srinagar, here, today.    In the programme as many as 200 employees were imparted  training.
The District Election Officer, Kupwara also conducted a day long training session here for employees to be deployed for counting duty at ITI Kupwara and ITI Handwara on December 23, 2014.
During the course of training, the Nodal Officer Trainings briefed the staff about the guidelines of Election  Commission.
As many as 250 employees were imparted the necessary training in detail about the handling of EVM’s and the methodology to be adopted during counting of votes, filling of various forms in presence of counting agents and contesting candidates .
Meanwhile, in view of the counting of votes for Assembly segments of Bandipora, Sonawari and Gurez on December 23, 2014, the District Magistrate Bandipora has imposed Section 144 CrPC within the town limits of Bandipora, Sumbal, Hajin and Dawar (Gurez) with effect from 0700 hrs the counting day to avoid any breach of peace and safeguard the life and property of the general public.
Any congregation of five or more people is not allowed except at religious places and purely religious purposes, no procession shall be taken out, no person other than a member of Armed Forces, Police, Magistrate or a public servant duly authorized and on duty shall carry public firearms or an article capable of being used as weapon of offence, no person shall use loudspeaker or any other amplifying sound for making a speech or any announcement for any other purpose whether from a moving vehicle or otherwise, no procession shall be taken out except with the prior permission of District Magistrate or Additional District Magistrate or Sub Divisional Magistrate and Senior Superintendent of Police.
To avert any law and order situation and breach of peace  in the district Bandipora by using the crackers, District Magistrate, Bandipora has imposed ban for sale and purchase, besides use of cracker in Bandipora with immediate effect till further orders.    The Tehsildars and SHOs concerned have been directed to conduct inspections frequently in the local market in their respective jurisdiction and seize the crackers and keep the quantity of crackers seized in police custody after maintaining proper records.
The arrangements for smooth counting of votes for six Assembly segments of Anantnag, Dooru, Kokernag, Shangus, Bijbehara and Pahalgam were finalised at Anantnag .    All the Returning Officers (RO’S) of these Segments, representatives of security agencies, ADC Anantnag, Nodal officers, Micro observers, Executive R&B, PDD, PHE, Chief Medical Officer, Divisional Manager BSNL, Assistant Director Fire and Emergency Services, Assistant Regional Transport Officer and Chief Education Officer, Municipal Committee Anantnag participated in the meeting.
The meeting was informed that adequate security  arrangements for all the counting centers have been put in place. Un-interrupted power supply, drinking water and other necessary arrangements have been kept available around all the counting halls at Government Degree College, Boys Khanabal, Anantnag.    The DEO was informed that computers with broadband  facility, fax machines, copiers, medical aid with ambulance and fire and emergency services have been kept available at counting venue at Anantnag.
The counting staff deployed for counting at Uri, Rafiabad, Sopore, Sangrama, Baramulla, Gulmarg and Patten Assembly Constituencies of Baramulla District were imparted necessary training at Dak Bungalow Baramulla.
The counting of votes of the district will be conducted at 7 counting centres established at Boys Degree College Baramulla, ITI Pattan and Agriculture College (SKUAST) Wadoora.    During the training programme, the speakers highlighted  the provisions and modules with regard to Counting of votes. The Counting Supervisors were asked to inspect the EVMs before Counting and ensure that the Control Unit seals are intact.    Similar arrangements were also made in four constituencies in Ladakh region and 37 assembly segments in Jammu region. (AGENCIES)

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