All arrangements made for counting of votes in Ladakh PC

Kargil, June 3: Elaborate arrangements have been made by election authorities of Ladakh to ensure peaceful counting of votes for the lone Parliamentary Constituency (PC) in the Union Territory (UT) on Tuesday.

Ladakh union territory’s lone parliamentary seat went to voting on May 20 and the counting of the votes will be held on June 4. Election officials said that two counting centres one each in Leh and Kargil districts have been set up for the counting process.

Officials said a multi-tier security arrangements would protect and secure each counting centre to ensure a free, fair and peaceful counting process.

Returning Officer for Ladakh Parliamentary Constituency Santosh Sukhadeve told Greater Kashmir that for

Ladakh Lok Sabha seat two counting centres are being set up, one in Leh and the other in Kargil district. "All the necessary required arrangements have been made for the smooth and hassle-free transparent counting process in both the counting centres including Leh and Kargil of Ladakh PC. The counting of votes will begin at 8 AM with postal ballots, followed by the counting of votes in EVMs starting at 8.30 AM as per the guidelines of Election Commission of India," Sukhadeve said. He said that though all the postal ballots are in Leh and thus the counting process for EVMs in Kargil will start at 8 AM . Santosh Sukhadeve who is also the district election officer said that all the security related arrangements are made to ensure a smooth and hassle-free counting process.

RO Ladakh PC also emphasised all concerned on strict adherence to the laid guidelines of the Election Commission of India during the counting process for free, fair and hassle free counting process.

He said CCTV cameras have been installed in and outside the counting hall, while the strong room is being guarded by the security agencies round-the-clock.

The Returning Officer, 1-Ladakh Parliamentary Constituency, Santosh Sukhadeve earlier reviewed the arrangements for the counting of votes for the Lok Sabha Election 2024 at Sindhu Sanskriti Kendra (SSK) here. On his visit to Sindhu Sanskriti Kendra on Tuesday, Sukhadeve was accompanied by Senior Superintendent of Police, Leh, Shruti Arora.

Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Kargil Shree Ram told Greater Kashmir that all the security arrangements are in place. He said a multi-tier security arrangements would ensure a smooth and peaceful counting process. SSP Kargil said that an adequate number of Ladakh police personnel have also been deployed for maintenance of law and order. " To facilitate the officials on duty as well as others for parking their vehicles, besides to ensure smooth traffic regulation at the counting centre, there shall be traffic restrictions on some route(s). The public in general has been requested to cooperate with the Traffic Police," he said.