PUNE, Oct 6: The atmosphere seemed a bit sedate at the Food Corporation of India's godowns at Koregaon Park when the counting of votes polled in in Khed Lok Sabha constituency and the six assembly segments started there this morning. However, the mood changed rapidly in the afternoon when news spread that the NCP candidate from Bhor assembly segment Kashinath Khutwad was ahead of his Congress rival Anantrao Thopte.There was no end to the enthusiasm of the supporters of various candidates. Even a spell of a heavy rain which lashed the area for 15 minutes just before the counting started did not deter them milling outside the counting centre to hear the latest trends.The counting, which started at 8 am, went on peacefully till late in the evening. However, the election fever reached a crescendo when the actual counting started in the afternoon.The FCI godowns, where counting of votes is held during every general election, for the first time saw the direct broadcast of latest trends on the All India Radio, special computer cell set up by the Election Commission and a fencing between the representatives of various candidates and the election staff during this counting.Representatives of various candidates contesting the election, election staffers deputed with the tabulation cell and computer cell as well as the policemen on bandobast duty seemed in a relax mood while the separation and mixing of ballot papers went on till 2 pm. They took their designated places only after the counting of votes started.Additional district collector and returning officer for Khed Lok Sabha constituency Anup Kumar opened the seal on the rooms where ballot boxes were kept in the presence of the candidates and their representatives around 8 am. Later, the ballot boxes were shifted to the rooms where counting was to take place.Bhor assembly segment was the first one to complete the separation and mixing of ballot papers around 1 pm. Counting of votes polled in Bhor and Junnar assembly segments started around 2 pm.Shiv Sena MLA from Junnar assembly segment Balasaheb Dangat, Nationalist Congress Party candidate in Bhor assembly segment Kashinath Khutwad and Congress candidate in Ambegaon assembly segment Shrirang Gabale were present ever since the process of separating and mixing the ballot papers started in the morning.Shiv Sena candidate from Khed Lok Sabha constituency Kisanrao Bankhele and his rival NCP candidate Ashok Mohol and NCP candidate arrived at the counting centre after 11.30 am.Election observers Vinita Kumar M H Khan and Prakash Chandra were camping at the counting centre since morning. They inspected the rooms where the counting was to take place along with Anup Kumar and obtained information around 8.15 am.A heavy posse of police personnel was deployed at the counting centre to ensure peaceful counting.
