Imphal: Preparations for the counting of votes for the recently concluded Lok Sabha Elections 2024 for the Inner Manipur Parliamentary Constituency on June 4 are underway with full vigour.
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Imphal West Deputy Commissioner and Returning Officer for the Inner Manipur Parliamentary Constituency, Th. Kirankumar informed the media at the Imphal West DC office about the arrangements on Saturday. He said the counting of votes will take place in all 32 constituencies spread across four districts: Imphal East, Imphal West, Bishnupur, and Thoubal. The counting will be conducted at DC complexes in these districts. However, counting postal ballots and Electronically Transmitted Postal Ballot System (ETPBS) votes will be exclusively held in the Imphal West District. Votes from Special Polling Stations for Internally Displaced Persons will be counted in their respective districts. In the Imphal West District, there will be a total of nine counting halls, including seven for EVMs and two for postal ballots and ETPBS. The Strong Room, guarded by personnel from Central Armed Police Forces and political party representatives, will be opened at 6:30 AM sharp on June 4, and counting will commence at 8 AM. EVMs will be transported from the Strong Room to the counting halls in fully guarded vehicles, with the entire process being video recorded.
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Taking part in the press meet, Imphal West SP Ksh. Shivakanta assured strict security measures on the day of counting. Three-tier cordoning will be implemented around the complex, with special traffic routes announced closer to counting day. He emphasised that security forces will be stationed inside, in the middle, and outside the DC complex. Movement restrictions will be imposed around the complex, with exceptions for officials and media persons. SP Shivakanta urged the public to extend full support to the District Election Office for a smooth counting process and to report any incidents to the nearest police station.
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