Pics: Spoorthi Ullal
Daijiworld Media Network - Mangalore (DV/SP)
Mangalore, May 14: Hectic preparations are on as the city gets set for the counting of votes on Friday May 16.
Addressing a press meet at his office on Wednesday May 14, deputy commissioner A B Ibrahim said, "Mobile phones, electronic items, and cigarettes are strictly prohibited inside the counting center. All polling agents should posses the compulsory identity cards which have already had been issued.
"A media center will be set up and from there the election counting process will telecast through a private channel. People can watch this from their homes. All election counting staff and counting agents should follow discipline and maintain decorum," he said.
"There will be 15 rounds of counting for Mangalore and Moodbidri assembly segments, 16 rounds for Mangalore South and Puttur, 17 rounds for Mangalore North and Sullia, and 18 rounds for Bantwal assembly segment constituency," he informed.
At 7 am, all the doors of the strong room will be opened. The counting will commence from 8 am. The counting process will be held at Mahatma Gandhi Centenary Pre-University College, Bondel.
Earlier in the day, a training session was held election officials and staff.
Traffic diversion, parking restrictions
Through an order, deputy commissioner of Dakshina Kannada district, who also happens to be the returning officer for the election from Dakshina Kannada Lok Sabha constituency, has ordered diversion of traffic moving through Bondel in the city during the period of votes counting on May 16.
All the vehicles moving through KPT and Bondel towards Kavoor should take left turn near Daijiworld Residency building and take the route of Gundurao Lane and KHB Colony Road to reach the main road at Kavoor Junction. Vehicles moving to the airport must take Kuntikan-Kavoor or Kulur-Kavoor Junction route.
Vehicles coming to counting centre should reach their parking lots in KHB Ground by moving through Gundurao Lane. While going out from KHB Ground, they should take Kavoor Junction Road. Vehicles coming to the centre from Kavoor Junction can reach Women's Polytechnic and park their vehicles there. While going out from the polytechnic, they should take the road leading to Kavoor Junction.
Movement of vehicles towards KHB Road and Gundurao Lane from KHB office has been banned. Parking of vehicles on KHB Road and Gundurao Lane has also been banned. Entry of vehicles on the road between Bondel Junction and Gundu Rao Lane Road and parking have been banned. Vehicles coming from Bajpe can take Kuntikan or Kulur Road routes from Kavoor Junction.
These restrictions will not apply to police, election officers, essential services, and vehicles holding authorised passes, a release from the deputy commissioner explained.