Delhi polls: Elaborate security in place for vote counting

New Delhi: The Delhi Election Commission has made elaborate security arrangements for counting of votes to take place on Sunday with 2000 Central Paramilitary Force and Delhi police personnel keeping a tight vigil at 14 counting centres across the city.

A total of 810 candidates were in fray in Delhi assembly poll. Along with CCTV cameras and live streaming of proceedings through web casting, two layers of security cover have been set at all the 14 counting centres. "Paramilitary force forms the inner circle of security of centres while adequate numbers of Delhi Police personnel will ensure safety from outside. Counting of votes will start from 8 AM tomorrow and during the first hour postal ballots will be counted," said Delhi Chief Electoral officer Vijay Dev. Over 43,000 postal ballots have been received by Delhi EC, while this figure was 1,600 in last assembly election. Polling agents from political parties will be given access to the centres, Dev added. Delhi has registered its highest voter turnout of 65.86 per cent in the assembly polls held on December 4. According to election officials, 11,993 EVMs were shifted to strong rooms at 14 counting centres after the assembly polls got over and 24X7 security cover was mounted with Delhi police personnel and Central Paramilitary Force guarding EVMs and the surrounding areas. "To ensure transparency and that proper procedures are being followed during counting of votes, a "live-watch" will be kept by senior election officials from control room through web casting," said Dev.