Arrangements made for vote count in Chhattisgarh

Raipur: All security arrangements have been made for smooth conduct of counting of votes on Sunday in Chhattisgarh, which went to polls last month.

Tight security measures are in place in Naxal-affected districts of the state, where voting was held on November 11 and 19 to elect a new 90-member Assembly. In all, 22,158 EVMs were used and a total of 985 candidates are in the fray. "Counting for all 90 seats would start at 8 AM in 27 district headquarters. All preparations have been completed," Joint Chief Electoral Officer D D Singh told a news agency today. Director General of Police Ramniwas said around 5,000 security personnel will be on duty. "A three-layer security has been arranged at each counting centre. Additional security forces will be deployed in the Naxal-affected districts," he said. Singh said 1,375 supervisors, as many counting assistants and 90 general observers appointed by Election Commission have been deployed on duty. At every counting centre, a data unit has been set up to relay the information in real time to Election Commission in New Delhi, Singh said. Besides, police have been asked to maintain law and order during celebration by supporters of the winning candidates, the DGP said.