Andhra on high alert: 1,985 places deemed sensitive; CCTV, 3-layer security to guard counting

Amaravati: As many as 1,985 sensitive locations have been identified in 26 districts in Andhra Pradesh, which are the potential trouble-mongers of rival parties on June 4, the counting day.

In a press meeting, AP chief electoral officer Mukesh Kumar Meena spoke about the arrangements made for the big day in the state. He said the counting will start from 8 am.

A unit of officers has been instructed to follow a definitive strategy to prevent any untoward incident from happening in his/her jurisdiction.

Here are the highlights of the arrangements made for counting:

119 Observers: A total of 119 observers have been deployed to supervise the counting by the commission. One micro-observer has been appointed for each counting table. Two additional micro-observers have also been appointed for each counting hall to assist the observer.

Counting Agents: A sufficient number of counting supervisors and counting assistants have been deployed with 10 per cent on reserve. The total staff deployed is about 25,209 officials. Counting agents will be allowed as many counting tables including tables meant for counting postal ballots.

The candidate can appoint one more counting agent to oversee the counting at the Returning Officer/ARO’s table in their absence or the absence of their election agent.

Number of rounds: There will be a maximum of 27 rounds in Amalapuram PC (Parliament Constituency) and the time required will be 9 to 10 hours. A minimum of 13 rounds will be in Rajahmundry and Narasapuram PCs and the time required will be 5 hours.

In Assembly Constituencies (ACs), a maximum of 26 rounds will be in Bhimili and Panyam ACs and the time required will be 9 to 10 hours. A minimum of 13 rounds will be in Kovvur and Narasapuram ACs and the time required will be 5 hours.

CCTV coverage: The entire counting process in the counting halls will also have 360-degree CCTV coverage or videography with date and time stamping and stored in an appropriate retrievable storage device safely.

The video coverage will all also be ensured at every stage of counting.

The video coverage will include recording of steps such as counting hall arrangements, security arrangements, inside and outside the counting hall/centre, presence of candidates and their agents in the counting centres, the process of randomisation of counting staff, opening of strong rooms, counting process in the counting hall, tabulation at the returning officer’s table, counter checking of two CUs by the observer, declaration of result, handing over of certificate of return of election to elected candidate, transfer of VVPAT slips to thick black envelopes, sealing of CU/VVPAT and election papers after counting and any other significant events of the counting process.

Dry Day: Dry Day has been declared on the day of counting. No liquor shops, hotels, restaurants, clubs or other establishments will be permitted to sell/serve liquor to anyone.

Non-proprietary clubs, star hotels, restaurants etc. and hotels run by anyone even if they are issued different categories of licenses for possession and supply of liquor, should also not be permitted to serve liquor during the said period.

The storage of liquor by individuals shall be curtailed during counting and restrictions provided in the excise law on the storage of liquor in unlicensed premises shall be vigorously enforced.

Seizures: A total of 483.5 crores worth of gold, silver, freebies and cash has been seized from January 1 2024 to June 2.

Law and Order issues: There will be a three-tier cordoning system in all counting premises to prevent the entry of unauthorised persons inside the counting premises. The areas surrounding the counting centres are declared as ‘Red Zone’.

No vehicle shall be allowed on the premises. The vehicles shall be stopped beyond the third layer of security that is guarded by the district police and only authorised persons shall be allowed.

Section 144 CrPC is promulgated in and around areas where EVM strong rooms and counting centres are located and no gathering is allowed within the vicinity of the third layer of security around the EVM strong rooms and counting centres. The cut-off/check posts have been placed beyond the third layer to act as the fourth layer of security.

For crowd management on the day of counting, barricades will be erected beyond the third layer of security, CC cameras will be fixed at vantage points and police drones will be flown into the area to monitor the emerging situation.

The police have made arrangements for bandobust in sensitive locations (villages and towns), enumeration of party offices of different political parties and bandobust for the same, enumeration of houses of leaders of different political parties and bandobust plan to prevent any untoward incident there.

A list of troublemakers has been prepared and action will be taken against them. A district plan for the deployment of body-worn cameras, videography and CCTV has been made. Gas squad, Vajra vehicle with water cannon and other crowd control measures have been deployed. Box type movement of all contesting candidates including the details of the team and vehicles have been deployed for this purpose. Contingency force in the district at strategic locations. Striking force/special striking force area-wise will be ready.

The commission has prepared drones in the district to fly them in sensitive areas to maintain vigil and plans to use them to maintain L&O.

To utilize 100 per cent of the district force for the counting day, bandobust has been prepared on the day of polling.

A close watch on the check-in details of hotels and lodges in the sensitive areas and to erect border check posts in order to prevent outsiders from entering the district for creating trouble.

There will be a strict implement ban on the sale of loose POL by petroleum outlets or private persons anywhere in the state. There will be curbs on the sale of firecrackers to ensure that there is a proper check on the wholesale and retail sales of fire crackers in the state.

All unit officers in the state were instructed to conduct Cordon and Search Operations (CASO) in trouble-prone villages/areas of towns and round up troublemongers who are wanted in criminal cases.