Tuesday, May 21, 2024 07:45 [IST]
Last Update: Tuesday, May 21, 2024 02:09 [IST]
GYALSHING, (IPR): Gyalshing District Election
Officer-cum-District Collector M. Bharani Kumaar, accompanied by
ADC-cum-Returning Officer Pari Bishnoi, ADC-cum-ARO Khemraj Bhattarai,
Gyalshing SDPO Kesang Bhutia and officials of Election Cell, convened a meeting
with the contesting candidates, election agents and representatives of various
political parties at the conference hall of DAC, Rabdentse today with regard to
the counting process of Assembly and Parliamentary Elections 2024.
The meeting intended to familiarise the
candidates and election agents on the standard procedure of counting prescribed
by the Election Commission of India.
The Gyalshing DC presented a detailed
overview of the counting procedure for the upcoming counting day and updated on
the preparedness.
He expressed his gratitude to all for
their coordination during the poll. He then explained the schedule for the
counting day, stating that the strong room would be opened at 5 am and
requested all to be present at the counting centre by 5 am. He informed that
after the submission of Form 18 by respective candidates, ID cards will be
issued to counting agents for access to the counting hall.
The sequence and procedures of the
counting team were discussed, including the handling of EVMs, VVPATs, and the
scanning process of the Electronically Transmitted Postal Ballot System
(ETPBS). He said that regular announcements would be made through the PA system
on the counting day.
The SDPO expressed gratitude to the
political representatives for their cooperation on the smooth conduct of the
poll in the district and sought similar cooperation for the counting process.
He explained the mandatory three tier security system and the level of checking
while requesting all to leave their mobile phones, tablets, laptops or any
electronic gadgets at the counter. He also discouraged the use of smart watches
and asked all to be inside the premises at the designated time. He discussed
vehicle parking arrangements and other security measures as well and appealed
for smooth and peaceful conduct during and after the counting process.
Present at the meeting were
representatives from Sikkim Krantikari Morcha (SKM), Sikkim Democratic Front
(SDF), Citizen Action Party (CAP), Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), Indian
National Congress and independent candidates.
Following the meeting, the attendees
visited all five designated counting halls situated at the Government Girls
Senior Secondary School, Kyongsa in the presence of DEO, RO, AROs and police
officials.
