In whose favour will winds of victory blow?

Tribune News Service
Patiala, May 22

Amid a nationwide outcry over security of electronic voting machines (EVMs), Patiala Deputy Commissioner-cum-District Electoral Officer Kumar Amit said all the preparations were in place for counting votes on May 23. 

The District Electoral Officer said each counting centre would have supervisor, micro observer and an assistant along with other technical staff. 

He informed that six election observers appointed by the Election Commission of India (ECI) would oversee the entire counting process. Amit added that tight security arrangements were made outside the counting centres.

He further elaborated that EVMs of Nabha block were kept at Government ITI College and counting would take place at the examination hall of the said college under the guidance of Assitant Returning Officer (ARO) Kala Ram Kansal.

Meanwhile, the counting of Patiala rural and Sanour block would be held at Government Polytechnic College for Girls at SST Nagar.

Counting of votes for Dera Bassi block would take place at University College of Engineering (UCOE) of Punjabi University while counting of Rajpura and Ghanaur block would be held at gymnasium hall of Punjabi University. However, the counting of Patiala urban block would be held at Thapar University, Patiala. Votes for Samana and Shutrana block would be counted at Polo Ground.

Counting process 

Counting of votes for each Assembly segment of a parliamentary constituency would be done in a single hall. In each round, votes from 14 EVMs would be counted. Besides, counting process would be performed under the direct supervision of the RO. Candidates along with their counting agents would be allowed in the counting hall.

Counting centres

• EVMs of Nabha block were kept at Government ITI College and counting would take place at the examination hall of the said college
• Votes for Patiala rural and Sanour block would be counted at Government Polytechnic College for Girls at SST Nagar
• Counting of votes for Dera Bassi block would take place at University College of Engineering (UCOE) of Punjabi University
• Counting for Rajpura and Ghanaur block would be held at gymnasium hall of Punjabi University
• Votes for Patiala urban block would be counted at Thapar University, Patiala
• Counting of Samana and Shutrana block would take place at Polo Ground