Shillong ( Meghalaya), Feb 1 : All necessary arrangements have been made for counting of votes in 13 counting centres across the state , 12 in all District capitals , 1 in Sohra Sub Division on Thursday .
22 CAPF companies have been been deployed 24x 7 safeguard protocols in the strong rooms containing the the polled EVMs of 3419 polling stations in the 59 poll going Assembly constituencies.
3 tier security arrangements have been made with CAPF guarding the innermost layer and state armed police keeping vigil of the 2nd & 3rd tier .
All the counting centres will be all placed under CCTV and web cast surveillance during the entire period of counting .
There will be 383 rounds of counting , with a maximum of 9 rounds for the biggest AC Mawlai in East Khasi Hills District & 4 rounds for smaller ACs like Dalu in West Garo Hills District .
The counting in all 13 centres will commence at 8 am and counting will initially begin with the counting of postal ballots for the first 30 minutes followed by counting of polled votes in the EVM Control Units .
On Wednesday , CEO, FR Kharkongor accompanied by DEO & SP personally inspected the counting arrangements at the East Khasi Hills counting Centre at Polo grounds, here which has maximum number of 14 Counting Halls , 1 each for each AC. West Garo Hills District Counting Centre caters to 11 assembly constituencies and is the second largest counting centre in the state .
The ECI has deployed 27 Counting Observers & over 500 micro observers who will also assist the counting observers at each table. Each table will be equipped with a Counting Observer assisted by 4 Counting Assistants.
In 7 polling stations, there were cases of non deletion of mock poll data ,1 PS, in East Jaintia Hills , Khliehriat AC, 1 in West Khasi Hills, Rambhai AC, 2 in East Garo hills ,Songsak AC, 2 in South West Garo Hills , Salmanpara ACs and 1 in Mylliem AC.In the above polling stations , DEOs & ROs have been directed to strictly follow ECI protocols on counting.
Also post counting of EVMs, 5 polling stations will be selected at random ,through draw of lots and manual counting of 5 randomly selected EVMs will be undertaken as per ECI protocols.
Additionally, Concerned DEOs have issued necessary orders pertaining to traffic arrangements & victory processions post counting in respect of their concerned districts.
