SHILLONG: After the high intensity campaigning and Assembly elections, the State is now anxiously waiting for March 3 when the fate of 361 candidates from 59 constituencies will be unlocked from the EVMs as counting will take place to elect the new MLAs in the state.
Chief Electoral Officer, FR Kharkongor said that the preparations for the counting was almost done and now counting centres were being prepared.
A visit to the counting centre at Polo grounds revealed that preparations were on for the counting and cleaners were cleaning the entire area besides security personnel were guarding the strong room where EVMs are kept.
EVMs for as many as 15 constituencies will be taken up for counting in JN sports complex, Polo.
Out of this, the votes of 8 constituencies will be counted at a place arranged at Badminton Court and the remaining 7 at Dalang complex.
In addition, counting of votes for two seats each will be counted in Sohra and Mairang.
On the other hand, District Police has also made elaborative security arrangements to ensure that counting takes place peacefully
“We will have three tier security in the counting centres,” East Khasi Hills SP, Davis Marak said.
Apart from the counting centres, Shillong police is putting additional manpower along with officers in sensitive areas of the town including Polo to ensure that there is no law and order problem.
Police has also made elaborative arrangements for parking of vehicles.
The Polo Parking Lot (Bus Station) and the Polo Ground, 2nd Field will be for parking of Candidates/General Public/Supporters
In addition, there will be ‘no entry’ from Vilco School Junction towards Rear Gate of Polo Ground and Vehicles will not be allowed to enter from VIP Gate and Rear Gate of Polo Ground except Observer/Police/ Election Officials.
It may be mentioned that apart from Shillong, counting will take place in Sohra and Mairang,