COUNTING OF votes for the 80 Lok Sabha seats and 4 Assembly seats in Uttar Pradesh would be done on Tuesday under “intensified security,” senior officials said. The counting will start at 8 am on Tuesday at 81 locations across seven police commissionerates and 68 districts. The Election Commission has put in place a three-tier security system at the counting centres. UP Director General of Police (DGP) Prakash Kumar said over 93,000 police officers and personnel have been deployed for security, along with companies of the Central Armed Police Forces (CAPF) and Pradeshik Armed Constabulary (PAC). A social media team in each commissionerate and district will do round-the-clock monitoring to counter misinformation and rumours, said DGP Kumar. Additional Chief Secretary (Home) Deepak Kumar said that all counting centres in the state would be monitored via CCTV. DGP Kumar said 160 Deputy Commissioners/Additional Superintendents of Police, 476 Assistant Police Commissioners/Deputy Superintendents of Police, 2,248 Inspectors, 12,883 Sub-Inspectors, 20,876 female constables, 50,697 constables, and 6,149 home guards will be deloyed across the 81 centres. He added that 145 companies of the CAPF and 102 companies of the PAC have been deployed. The area within a 100-metre radius of the outer cordon has been designated a sterile zone, DGP said. DGP Kumar said, “Only authorised personnel will be allowed entry to the counting centre, and each person will be frisked and checked. Carrying objectionable items will be strictly prohibited. Female personnel will conduct searches of women to ensure privacy.” He added, “To prevent traffic congestion around the counting area, special arrangements have been made. Fire brigades, ambulances, medical teams, reserve teams, and extra QRT have also been made available for emergencies. Reserve forces have been stationed at sensitive locations, with UP 112 PRV vehicles patrolling these areas. Considering the heatwave, provisions for adequate drinking water, shade, and other necessary amenities have been made at the counting centres.”
