Trichy collector urges to ensure arrangements in counting centres

Trichy: District election officer and district collector V Saravanan inspected the ongoing arrangements at one of the counting centres on Wednesday ahead of the assembly election. He urged officials to ensure all necessary arrangements are in place to support the counting process on the counting day.Saravanan visited the counting centre at Oasys Institute of Technology in Pulivalam, Musiri taluk, Trichy district.Counting centres for the nine assembly constituencies in Trichy district are being established at two locations - Jamal Mohamed College in Trichy and Oasys Institute of Technology in Pulivalam.Jamal Mohamed College has been selected as the centre for five constituencies: 138 Manapparai, 139 Srirangam, 140 Trichy West, 141 Trichy East, and 142 Thiruverumbur. Oasys Institute of Technology has been selected as the centre for the remaining four constituencies: 143 Lalgudi, 144 Mannachanallur, 145 Musiri, and 146 Thuraiyur (SC).After completion of polling on April 23, the electronic voting machines will be transported to the respective centres and stored in strong rooms. On May 4, the machines will be taken out of the strong rooms and the votes will be counted.Preparatory works are currently in progress at both centres. As per the guidelines of the Election Commission of India, separate rooms are being allocated and prepared for various purposes at the centres, including strong rooms for safe storage of EVMs, counting halls, control rooms, media rooms, and observer rooms.On the counting day, the two centres will witness several thousand footfalls of people including officials, staff, candidates, party observers, police personnel, armed personnel, and media personnel throughout the day.Saravanan reviewed the provision of basic amenities, uninterrupted power supply, drinking water facilities, sufficient toilet facilities, and all necessary security arrangements to be kept in place until the completion of the vote counting process.During the inspection, officials from the election, revenue, police, and public works departments were present. Saravanan issued them necessary instructions to carry out the works efficiently.