Hailakandi DC promises strict action against troublemakers on vote counting day

Hailakandi, May 20, 2019:

The Hailakandi district administration has asked all the political parties to maintain discipline and decorum during the counting of votes on May 23.

In a meeting with the representatives of all political parties at the Deputy Commissioner's office on Monday, District Election Officer cum Deputy Commissioner, Keerthi Jalli asked the political parties and their counting agents to follow the guidelines of the Election Commission in letter and spirit and to cooperate with the administration in conducting the counting smoothly and peacefully.

Jalli said those violating the Model Code of Conduct during the counting process will be ejected from the counting campus and stern action will be initiated against them as per the provisions of People's Representative Act, 1951.

The DEO also asked the political parties to show equal respect to the losing candidate, as in an election there is always a winner and a loser.

The representatives of political parties, including BJP, INC, and AIUDF assured the administration of their support and cooperation during the entire counting exercise and thereafter.

Election Officer, Rahul Doley and other senior officials of the administration were present.

Counting of votes will take place from 7 am at the Government VM Higher Secondary School here on Thursday. Security has been beefed in and around the counting campus.

The election machinery is geared up to ensure glitch-free counting and tallying.

The Lok Sabha elections 2019 is the first ever polling exercise where EVM results will be matched with VVPAT slips. In the General Elections of 2014, the EC used VVPATs for a pilot run in eight out of 543 Lok Sabha constituencies; however, no tallying was done. But this time it will be done in exclusive and safe counting booths and the returning officer and his/her deputy will directly supervise the tallying of VVPAT slips with EVM count.