Daijiworld Media Network - Mumbai

Mumbai, Jan 16: The counting of votes for the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) elections will commence at 10 am on Thursday across 23 designated counting centres in Mumbai, Municipal Commissioner and District Election Officer Bhushan Gagrani said.

Gagrani said the counting process will be conducted strictly in accordance with the guidelines issued by the Election Commission of India and the Model Code of Conduct. Elaborate arrangements have been put in place to ensure the smooth, transparent and timely completion of the process.

In a statement, the BMC said comprehensive preparations have been made, including security deployment, traffic regulation and maintenance of law and order across the city. The detailed counting plan has been approved by the Municipal Commissioner.

As per the civic body, 23 Returning Officers have been appointed for the 227 election wards within the municipal limits. Strong rooms and counting venues under the jurisdiction of each Returning Officer have been identified and approved by the Public Works Department and the Police Department.

On Thursday, Gagrani reviewed the counting arrangements along with senior officials, including Additional Municipal Commissioner (City) Ashwini Joshi, Special Officer (Election) Vijay Balamwar, Deputy Commissioner Vishwas Shankarwar, Additional District Collector (Konkan Division) Farog Mukadam, Assistant Commissioner Gajanan Bellale, Deputy District Collector Mahadev Kirwale, and all 23 Returning Officers.

He said all necessary measures have been taken to ensure that the counting is carried out in a smooth and transparent manner and completed within the stipulated timeframe. Arrangements have been finalised for the layout of counting centres, table planning, staff deployment, CCTV surveillance, fire safety measures and the availability of medical facilities. Coordination with the Police Department has also been ensured to prevent any law-and-order issues during the counting process.

For the exercise, a total of 2,299 officers and staff have been deployed, including 759 supervisors, 770 assistants and 770 Class IV employees. All counting personnel have undergone prior training, officials said.

Traffic control measures, parking arrangements and separate enclosures for media personnel have been set up near the counting centres. A computerised system will be used for tabulation and declaration of results to ensure accuracy and transparency.

Only authorised candidates, their representatives and media personnel possessing valid identity cards issued by the Election Department will be allowed entry into the counting premises. Officials have urged all stakeholders to strictly adhere to the instructions issued by the Maharashtra State Election Commission.