No phones inside counting centres: Poll officials brief collectors & SPs on security

BHOPAL: Deputy election Commissioner of India Ajay Bhadoo and chief electoral officer of Madhya Pradesh Anupam Rajan on Thursday conducted a video conference with all the collectors, district election officers, and superintendents of police in the state.
During the meeting, detailed discussions were held on the preparations and security arrangements for the vote counting, and essential guidelines were provided.
Deputy election commissioner Bhadoo and CEO Rajan said that only authorized individuals holding passes issued by the Election Commission of India would be permitted to enter the counting center. Unauthorized or unnecessary persons would not be allowed access to the counting venue.
The use of mobile phones and calculators within the counting center will be strictly prohibited, with only designated counting personnel allowed to use calculators. District election officers were instructed to ensure that all arrangements at the counting centers adhere to the guidelines issued by the ECI, maintaining a systematic and organised approach.
Officials were urged to continuously provide election-related information to observers, political parties, candidates, media, and the general public to prevent the dissemination of false or misleading information.
In individual discussions with all 52 collectors, district election officers, and superintendents of police in the state, the deputy election commissioner reviewed the preparations for vote counting in each district. It was stressed that all norms and protocols should be strictly followed throughout the postal ballot counting process. The counting of votes from EVMs should commence only after half an hour from the initiation of postal ballot counting.
Counting workers and micro observers were instructed to undergo training for accurately counting votes recorded in EVMs.