Layered security at counting centres in Jammu, Kathua

Jammu, June 3: All preparations have been put in place for the smooth and peaceful conduct of counting of votes amid three-tier security arrangements in Jammu and Kathua for tomorrow i.e., June 4, 2024.

In order to maintain public peace, order and tranquillity on the day of counting, District Magistrate, Jammu and District Magistrate Kathua have issued prohibitory orders under Section 144 CrPC.

Besides, the traffic police too have issued special advisories for the counting day.

In the case of Jammu parliamentary constituency, the counting of votes will be held at Government Polytechnic College Bikram Chowk and MAM College Jammu while in case of Udhampur-Kathua-Doda parliamentary constituency, the counting will take place at Government Degree College.

Special counting centres have been set up for counting of migrant votes as well. In all, nine counting centres have been set up for migrant votes.

LAYERED SECURITY IN PLACE FOR COUNTING

Regarding security arrangements in place for counting, Director General of Police R R Swain had already stated that detailed guidelines of the Election Commission of India (ECI) were being followed.

“There have been cameras installed (inside the counting centres). They will be fully under CCTV coverage. There will be tiers of security. There’s not even a single collection centre where at least two companies are not deployed. Since the day, it has been declared as a collection or counting centre, there has been a 24X7 layered-security there,” he had said.

Swain had informed, “Access control, anti-sabotage checks have been taking place regularly and 24X7, they have been under focus of CCTV.” According to him, second and third-tier security was put in place by June 3.

ELECTORAL FRAY

For the Jammu parliamentary constituency, twenty-two candidates were in fray though the main contest was between Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) candidate Jugal Kishore Sharma and Congress candidate Raman Bhalla.

For Udhampur LoK Sabha seat, there were candidates in the electoral fray yet the contest was presumably among three candidates i.e., Dr Jitendra Singh of BJP, Chowdhary Lal Singh of Congress and G M Saroori of Democratic Progressive Azad Party (DPAP). A total of over 23.94 electorate voted for these two constituencies.

ARRANGEMENTS AT COUNTING CENTRE

Giving a detailed account of arrangements put in place, DM Jammu Sachin Kumar Vaishya, while speaking to the media, informed that counting of votes polled in seven assembly constituencies would take place at M A M College while counting of eleven assembly segments would be held at Polytechnic College by the trained staff under CCTV coverage. “Comprehensive arrangements, including that of videography, have been made,” he said.

Earlier, during the day, DM Jammu, who is Returning Officer (RO) Jammu convened a crucial meeting with the candidates contesting Lok Sabha election and their agents to discuss preparedness and protocols for counting of votes.

SSP, Dr Vinod Kumar was also present to elucidate security-related guidelines and protocols, ensuring candidates and their agents face no unexpected hassles on the counting day.

The meeting was also attended by ADDC Sher Singh and Deputy District Election Officer Rameshwar Kumar.

An official spokesperson said that during the meeting, the RO gave a detailed presentation on the preparations and protocols for the counting process. Parking and security arrangements were explained thoroughly, including the areas where mobile phones would be prohibited. Other arrangements for the candidates were also explained to them.

The RO highlighted that Section 144 and the Model Code of Conduct (MCC) would remain in force on counting day, prohibiting any violations. Furthermore, no celebratory processions would be allowed without the permission by the DEO and the bursting of crackers would be strictly banned within Counting Centre premises.

Almost similar arrangements have been made for counting at Kathua. According to Kathua DM and Returning Officer for Udhampur LS seat Rakesh Minhas, the counting of all 18 assembly segments will take place in designated under 3-tier security and as per ECI guidelines.

TRAFFIC ADVISORY FOR JAMMU CITY

Traffic Policy Jammu City issued traffic regulatory advisory in connection with the counting of votes of Jammu Parliamentary constituency being held on June 4, 2024 at Government Polytechnic College for Boys Bikram Chowk and MAM College Jammu University Road Jammu and Government Women College Gandhi Nagar Jammu (migrant votes only) from 0700 hours.

To facilitate the officials on duty as well as others for parking their vehicles, besides to ensure smooth traffic regulation at these centres, there shall be traffic restrictions on these routes.