Panchayat polls counting amidst CCTVs surveillance

STAFF REPORTER

GUWAHATI: Counting of votes for the two-phased Panchayat polls held in Assam on December 5 & 9 will begin on Wednesday amidst three layers of security arrangement and CCTV surveillance. Counting will be conducted at more than 300 counting halls at districts and sub-divisional headquarters in 26 districts (where elections were held). State Election Commissioner HN Bora told The Sentinel on Tuesday the commission is ready to conduct counting of votes in free, fair and transparent manner. He said necessary instructions have been issued to deputy commissioners and SDOs (Civil) to ensure fair counting during the counting exercise.

“Assam Police has assured the commission to provide three layers security during the counting,” Bora said, adding that since ballot papers were used for voting it will take 16 to 18 hours to complete the counting.

The number of candidates in fray in the Panchayat poll in the State was 78,571. According to the State Election Commission, a total of 734 candidates have been elected unopposed – 380 of the BJP, 193 of the Congress, 28 of the AGP, ten of the AIUDF, five of the BPF, one of the CPI(M) and 117 independent candidates.

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