Elaborate security in Silchar for counting day

 FROM OUR CORRESPONDENT

SILCHAR, May 16: The counting for the results of assembly election that was held on April 4 will be declared on May 19. The counting will be held at TRIP, Japhirbond at 8 am for the entire seven Legislative Assembly Constituencies of Cachar district which include Silchar, Soi, Dholai, Udharbond, Lakhipur, Barkhola, Katigorah. This was informed by Cachar DC S Viswathan in a press conference here today.

 Viswathan said, “In comparison with the 2011 elections, there has been an encouraging increase in the number of voter turnout. The overall percentage of voters in the District stood at 78.98. The highest percentage of voter turnout was at Katigorah with 84.47 followed by Barkhola with 80.67% and Dholai 80.10%. Tight security arrangements have been made so that counting process run smoothly.”

He said that on the day of election on April 4, the ballot boxes had been kept, sealed and safe at TRIP. These boxes will be opened on May 19, at around 7.45 am in front of all the observers and representatives of all the political parties. “There will be one counting hall for 9 LACs of Silchar and 2 counting halls for all the other 6 LACs. There will be 13 numbers of counting hall with 14 counting tables for each Lac,” Viswathan added.

 The DC also said that out of the 7 LACs of Cachar district, the rounds required for Silchar is the highest and results will be declared only be after the completion of these 17 rounds. It will be followed by Katigorah needing 15 rounds, Soi requiring 14 rounds, Dholai 13 rounds, Udharbond 12 rounds and the least, 11 rounds for Barkhola. Viswathan added that by 830 am the electronic voting machines will be opened after the opening of postal ballot at 8 am. All the counting personnel and officials have been trained properly and the Deputy Commissioner has met them individually and he is confident about them. In addition to it, every LAC has been provided with an observer. A total of 230 counting supervisors and counting assistants have been called for the task. Apart from these, there will 135 numbers of counting micro observer. These micro observers will update the observer every now and then. In addition, there will be one micro observer for one counting table and two additiol micro observers for observer.

“Tight security has been arranged at TRIP. There will be three-tier security system and no uuthorized person or vehicle will be allowed to enter. No one will be allowed to use and enter with cell phones except Returning Officers, Assistant Retuning Officers, observers and media-persons. Media-persons can use their cell phones only within the media sector,” he said.

Rajbeer Singh, Cachar SP said, “Three-tier security system has been employed for that day. Paramilitary forces, State Police and Armed Forces have been called for. The inner cordon will be guarded by the paramilitary forces. More than 6 companies of paramilitary forces has been engaged, 2 companies from Assam Rifles have been engaged in border areas and sensitive areas with special attention to Manipur, Mizoram, Dima Hasao.”

There will be three-tier cordoning system in counting campuses and 100 metres peripherals will be ‘pedestrian zone’.

“In the wake of the location of declaration of results, TRIP has been treated as a sensitive zone and as such UAV will be used all through the day and night which will eble us to keep a vigilant eye even during the night time,” added Singh.

The date of declaration of results collides with Bhasha Shaheed Divas, Bengali Martyrs’ Day and so various programmes and functions have been scheduled to take place. Both the DC and the SP said that if any organisation is interested in taking out processions or rallies, they must take permission for the administration. “We will not stop anybody from commemorating the martyrs, but we will definite examine it and also see the area of the procession,” said the DC. In order to maintain a high level security, items like match box, cigarette lighters, inflammable substances, chemicals, acids, and any kind of battery, radio, transistor, transmitter, camera, glass bottles and drinking glass will not be allowed into the counting centre.