Daijiworld Media Network - Mangaluru (JS)
Mangaluru, Jun 4: Dakshina Kannada and Udupi districts are all set for the counting of votes for the gram panchayat elections to be held on Friday June 5. The first phase of the elections was held on May 29 in 15 districts including Dakshina Kannada and Udupi, while the second phase was held on June 2. The counting for both the phases will be held across the state simultaneously.
Dakshina Kannada deputy commisssioner A B Ibrahim on Thursday June 4 inspected the counting centre at Padua Educational Institute in Mangaluru.
Addressing reporters, A B Ibrahim said, "Sec 144 has been imposed throughout the district and dry day has been announced. Information chart will be displayed so that there is no confusion about which room has been desginated for which constituency's counting. Other than Mangaluru, counting will be held in Modankap school, Bantwal, Beltangady, Puttur and Sullia. Mobile phones and photography are completely prohibited in counting centers, except for media persons."
Assistant commissioner Dr Ashok said, "Counting for 55 gram panchayat constituencies (in DK) will be held in Padua Educational Institute campus. Counting will be conducted in 28 rooms. There will be four people in each room for the counting. Barricades will be put outside the counting center. There will be four rounds of counting, with the first round beginning at 8 am.
"Counting for Mangaluru-B and Gurupur hobli will be held in commerce and management block, for Moodbidri and Mulky hobli in PU block, Suratkal hobli in primary block and the rest of Mulky hobli in high school block. In the first round counting will be held for 113 constituencies, second round for 117 constituencies, third round for 80 constituencies and the fourth round for 16 constituencies," he informed.
Jyothindra, observer and ADC Sadashiva Prabhu were present.
Udupi
Pics: Umesh Marpalli
Daijiworld Media Network - Udupi (HB)
Udupi, Jun 4: "Udupi district is all set for counting of votes. Security forces have been deployed in the three taluks Udupi, Kundapur and Karkala," said the district commissioner R Vishal. Counting begins on June 5 at 8 am sharp in the designated schools.
Kundapur has 283 wards and polling was held in 291 booths. Counting will be held at Bhandarkar's Arts and Science College, Kundapur. As many as 125 tables have been provided and 552 staff appointed.
Polling in Udupi was held in 374 booths out of a total of 355 wards. As many as 118 tables have been provided and 548 officials appointed for counting. The counting will be held at St Cecily's School, Udupi and Jaycees English Medium School in Karkala respectively.
Voting was held in 172 polling stations in Karkala out of 168 wards. The DC has issued a prohibitory orders around the counting centers and dry day will be enforced from Thursday midnight. A two-day holiday has been declared for the respective schools.
Security measures have been undertaken by the police department. Ban on mobile phones has been ordered at the counting centers for duty officials as well as the candidates.
The DC has also has imposed a ban on victory celebrations, procession in protest and public meetings. Provocative public speeches, signs, photography and notices are strictly banned across the district. The order will be in effect from 6 am on June 5 to 6 am on June 6. This prohibition will also apply to carrying of ink, water, and items like match boxes, knives etc which are likely to cause harm.
Speaking to daijiworld, SP Annamalai said that nearly 1,250 police personnel, five KAF officials and 11 state reserved police officials have been deployed across Udupi district for peaceful counting in every countng centre. The police are also keeping a keen watch on Naxal-affected and communally sensitive areas, he said.