Pics: Spoorthi Ullal
Daijiworld Media Network - Mangaluru (ANK/EP)
Mangaluru, May 21: Prohibitory orders under Section 144 will be imposed in Dakshina Kannada district, ahead of the Lok Sabha election result day on Thursday May 23.
Addressing a press meet in Mangaluru on Tuesday, DK deputy commissioner Sasikanth Senthil said the Section 144 will be in effect from 6 pm on May 22 up to 6 pm on May 24.
"During this period, conducting processions, public and political meetings are prohibited. Carrying of arms, explosives are prohibited. Use of crackers is not allowed. Sale of alcohol has been prohibited from 6 pm of May 22 to midnight of May 23 as per the Election Commission’s directions," he said.
"Polling was completed on April 18 and the EVM/VVPAT along with the statutory documents was kept safe in NITK Surathkal. The counting will be held on May 23 at NITK Suratkal from 8 am. In the counting hall, 14 counting tables are placed," the DC said.
"The counting staff have already been appointed. For each table there will be one counting supervisor, one counting assistant and one micro observer. As many as 80 sealing staff have been appointed for sealing purpose, and 8 floor supervisors are appointed. For postal ballot counting, 4 tables have been placed. The strong room will be opened at 7 am in the presence of observers/candidates/agents," said Sasikanth Senthil.
"A barricade has been put up on the path used for transporting EVMs from the strong room to the counting hall. Security has been placed around the counting hall. The strong room is under 24x7 CAPF guard and 24x7 CCTV coverage. A gazetted officer has been appointed for monitoring the security arrangements of the strong room 24x7. Uninterrupted power supply will be provided at the strong room locations," the DC said.
Police commissioner Sandeep Patil said, "Since April 18, the security at the strong room has been beefed up and people have been deployed on shift basis. In every shift there is 1 ACP/DySP, 2 police inspectors, 4 SI, 7 ASI, 12 HC and 15 PC along with 1 platoon CAPF, 1 platoon KSRP and 2 CAR platoons.
"On May 23, one CAPF platoon, 5 KSRP, 12 CAR, 2 DCP, 6 ACP, PI, 48 PSI, 66 ASI, 112 HC and 24 PC will be deployed. To control traffic 1 ACP, 4 PI, 2 PSI, 31 ASI, 61 HC and 99 PC have been deployed," said Patil.
"Traffic will be diverted in certain areas. Heavy goods vehicles travelling from Mangalore to Udupi will be diverted via KPT - Kavoor Junction - Bajpe - Kateel - Kinnigoli - Mulki - Udupi. Buses will be allowed as usual on National Highway, but without any stop near NITK. This is to prevent any unauthorized persons from gathering near NITK," informed Sandeep Patil.
"Light motor vehicles and two-wheeler riders travelling from Surathkal to Udupi need to divert from Tadambail cross - NITK light house - Red Rock cross – Udupi," he added.
Udupi
Preparations for counting of votes in Udupi-Chikkamagaluru constituency have reached final stages. The counting is scheduled to begin at 8 am on Thursday, said DC Hephsiba Rani Korlapati.
The DC visited St Cicily Educational Institute on Tuesday May 21 where the votes will be counted and inspected the preparations for the same. "The strong room will be opened at 7.30 am. Officials and staff have been provided training in two stages. The officials, staff and agents arriving on behalf of candidates have been issued passes. Nobody will be allowed to carry their mobile phones inside," she said.
"Preparations have been made to convey the results to people after each round of counting. Three-level security has been provided at the center. Police force of about 300 police staff deployed at the venue consists of district police, 3 KSRP squads and one platoon of CRPF," said DSP Nisha James.
Election observer Nitheshwar Kumar assigned by election commission arrived at the center and inspected the preparations. Additional DC Vidyakumari and officials were present.