Telangana Votes: Counting to start at 8 am, expect first results from 10 am

Hyderabad: In keeping with the saying, ‘Morning shows the day,’ Sunday may show the future of the country’s political landscape by determining the fate of four out of the five states that went to polls last month.

The much-awaited results of the State Assembly elections will be declared in all four states simultaneously – except Mizoram where the counting will take place on December 4 – as the counting of votes commences from the morning of December 3. Apart from Mizoram, the states where Assembly elections took place include Chhattisgarh, Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan and Telangana. Telangana went to polls on the last day of November and Mizoram was the first state to complete polling on November 7.

49 counting centres

The counting of votes will start around 8 am and the first round of results is expected by 10 or 10.30 am, according to the office of the chief electoral officer (CEO). Speaking to the media, Telangana State CEO Vikas Raj informed that the arrangements for counting are being completed across 49 counting centres. There are around 1,766 counting tables and 131 tables for postal ballots.

Strong rooms under heavy guard

In the presence of the observes and representatives of candidates of various parties, the polling staff concerned has safely shifted the Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) from the 119 reception centres (one in each constituency) to the strong rooms of the 49 counting centres, where they are being guarded and kept secured under the surveillance of CCTVs. Vehicles carrying the EVMs are also being guarded and closely monitored. CRPF personnel from 40 companies have been deployed to keep guard on the EVMs.

“The first lead or first round of results is expected at around 10 or 10:30 am from the smallest Assembly Constituencies, where the counting process is expected to be completed first,” informed the CEO and added, “At every counting table, there would be a counting supervisor, one micro observer and two counting assistants. Security and police personnel from Central and State forces have been deployed to ensure a secured and hassle-free counting.”

Though representatives and supporters of all political parties would try to be in the counting centres, each anticipating victory for themselves, as per the Election Commission (EC) norms, only authorised persons with valid passes from the EC will be allowed inside.