ECI has banned victory procession after result outside counting centres:  DEO-cum-DC Varinder Kumar Sharma

Ludhiana, March 9, 2022: Deputy Commissioner-Cum-District Election Officer Varinder Kumar Sharma today said that the Election Commission of India (ECI) has banned all victory processions after the counting, thereby, the candidates participating in the elections must strictly abide by the guidelines issued by the ECI.
 
Divulging the details, the DC said that the ECI in its directions has prohibited any kind of victory procession on or after counting adding that strict action would be taken against those found violating these guidelines. He also said that any kind of negligence in this regard would be dealt with strictly. The ECI has also restricted the number of persons to accompany the winning candidates while receiving their certificates as only two persons can accompany the candidate or his/her authorized representative during issuing of certificate of election. 

The DEO further asked all the 14 Returning Officers to ensure strict compliance of these orders while surveillance teams have also been deputed by the administration to keep a watch over any kind of violation.

He said that the counting of votes would start simultaneously at 8 am on March 10 in all the 14 counting centers. The entire counting process would be closely monitored by the 14 counting observers. 

Varinder Kumar Sharma also urged the candidates to respect the mandate given by voters tomorrow, even if it’s in their favour.

He said that for timely dissemination of information, Media Centres have been set up outside all 14 counting centres, while one common media centre has been set up at Bachat Bhawan, District Administrative Complex, Ludhiana. He said that for mediapersons, entry to these 14 counting centres would be strictly through the Identity cards issued by the ECI.

He informed that mediapersons can carry their mobile phones only till the media centre and no mobile phones would be allowed inside counting halls (only photo camera and video camera allowed inside halls). He further said that as per ECI guidelines, during ongoing counting, closeup shots of EVM’s in photographs/video are also not allowed.

He also said that nobody (not even the candidate or RO/ARO etc.) except the counting observer shall be allowed to carry a mobile phone inside the counting hall.

He informed that in the counting room, a total of 14 counting tables (7 on each side) would be set up for smooth counting.

For Dakha constituency, the counting would take place at Dr Sukhdev Singh Bhawan PAU, for Ludhiana North at Govt Senior Secondary Smart School PAU, for Ludhiana West at Gymnasium Hall, Punjab Agricultural University, for Jagraon at Examination Hall, Punjab Agricultural University, for Samrala at Satish Chander Dhawan Govt. College, for Ludhiana East at Satish Chander Dhawan Govt. College, for Sahnewal at Khalsa Girls Sen.Sec.School, College Road, Ludhiana, for Raikot at Malwa Central College Of Education For Women, for Ludhiana Central at Arya College, Auditorium Hall, for Ludhiana South at KVM Senior Secondary School, for Gill at S.R.S. Govt.Polytechnic College For Women, Rishi Nagar, for Payal at Govt. College for Women, Ludhiana, for Khanna at Guru Nanak Dev Polytechnic College, Ludhiana. (Applied Science Building) and for Atam Nagar constituency, the strong room has been set up at New Building of GNE Polytechnic College, Gill Road Ludhiana.

He said that for counting, Khanna constituency would have 14 rounds, Samrala 16 rounds, Sahnewal 21 rounds, Ludhiana East 17 rounds, Ludhiana South 13 rounds, Atam Nagar 13 rounds, Ludhiana Central 13 rounds, Ludhiana West 15 rounds, Ludhiana North 15 rounds, Gill 22 rounds, Payal 15 rounds, Dakha 16 rounds, Raikot 14 rounds and Jagraon constituency would have 15 rounds.

He stated that holiday has been declared for teaching, non teaching staff & students in all educational institutions where counting is to take place on March 10. He further said that Dry day has also been declared in the district on March 10.

He informed that 100m radius around the counting centre has been declared no vehicle zone and the traffic personnel have been directed to ensure smooth flow of traffic in and around the counting centres. He said that fool-proof security arrangements have been made by the district administration at these centres to ensure the counting for the elections would be held in a smooth and hassle free manner.

The Deputy Commissioner also reiterated his commitment for free, fair and transparent elections as elaborate arrangements have already been put in place to achieve this goal. He said that keeping in view the Covid-19 pandemic, this year two counting halls have been set up for each assembly constituency.