Bar on carrying cellphones

CHANDIGARH, OCT 4: Elaborate arrangements have been made for the counting of votes on October 6. The 644 electronic voting machines have been kept in safe custody at the five counting centres made in the Sector 11 Government College, Central Polytechnic in Sector 26, College of Education in Sector 20, Government College for Girls in Sector 42 and the Sector 46 Government College, where counting would start at 8 a.m. on Wednesday.

While the rehearsal for the staff on counting duty took place on September 26, all the 16 candidates in fray have sent their lists of counting agents.

UT Chief Electoral Officer Rakesh Singh has ordered that for the smooth conduct of counting process and for security reasons no person shall be allowed to carry the mobile phone or pager in the building where counting takes place.

Returning Officer M. Ramsekhar said 350 polling staff will be on duty during the counting, for which 14 counting tables have been set up at each of the five counting centres.