Daijiworld Media Network - Mangaluru (SP)

Mangaluru, Mar 27: For the first time, National Institute of Technology (Karnataka) (NITK) which is located outside the city, has been chosen as the vote counting centre for Dakshina Kannada Lok Sabha constituency. It is gathered that the authorities decided on this change, taking into the fact that there is a gap of over a month between the date of voting and counting and also as enough space is needed to preserve VVPAT machines.

During the Lok Saba election held in 2014, counting of votes was done at Mahatma Gandhi Composite PU College at Bondel here. Counting of votes pertaining to the previous assembly election was also done at Bondel. In 2009, it was done in Canara College premises. However, during this election, traffic problems had occurred.

This time around, security concerns have increased as voting will take place on April 18, but counting of votes will be undertaken on May 23. The district administration therefore has added responsibility to ensure safe and secure environment for keeping electronic voting machines and VVPAT units, Taking into account all these things, NITK Suratkal has been chosen as the counting centre, it is gathered.

Suitable arrangements are already being made inside NITK premises for this purpose. Deputy commissioner of Dakshina Kannada district, Sasikanth Senthil, city police commissioner, Sandeep Patil, and several senior officials visited NITK Suratkal before giving their approval to this place for counting of votes. Sasikanth Senthil said that counting of votes is being done at NITK this time in view of need for suitable space and security. He said that the district administration and police departments have undertaken scrutiny of this centre and found it to be suitable for the purpose.