Counting of votes for 80 Lok Sabha seats and 4 assembly seats of Uttar Pradesh began at 8 am on Tuesday at 81 locations across seven police commissionerates and 68 districts of the state amid tight security.
Director General of Police (DGP) Prashant Kumar said that as per the intention of the Election Commission of India a three-tier security system has been implemented at the counting centres.
“Over 93,000 police officers and personnel have been deployed for security purposes, along with units from the CAPF and PAC. Additionally, a social media team in each commissionerate and district will conduct 24-hour monitoring to counter misinformation and rumours spread by vested interests, by verifying and addressing their authenticity,” he said.
ACS Home Deepak Kumar said that all district counting centres in the state are being monitored via CCTV. “Additionally, a media gallery has been set up at each counting site, with an information officer in charge who will periodically escort journalists through the counting hall,” he said.
The DGP said, “Only authorized personnel will be allowed entry to the counting centre and each person will be frisked and checked using DFMD and HHMD devices. Carrying objectionable items will be strictly prohibited. Female personnel will conduct searches of women to ensure privacy.”
He said, “To prevent traffic congestion around the counting area, special arrangements have been made. Fire brigades, ambulances, medical teams, reserve teams, and extra QRT have also been prepared for emergencies. Extra police and reserve QRT teams have been stationed at sensitive locations across various districts, with UP 112 PRV vehicles patrolling these areas continuously.
“Considering the scorching heat and heatwave conditions, provisions for adequate drinking water, shade, and other necessary amenities have been made at the counting center.”
He said 160 Superintendent of Police and ASPs along with 476 Deputy SPs, 2,248 Inspectors, 12,883 Sub-Inspectors, 30,876 Head Constables, 50,697 Constables, 6,149 Home Guards, 145 companies of CAPF and 102 companies of PAC have been deployed for counting.
It may be noted that a total of 851 candidates, including 771 male and 80 female, including stalwarts like Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Defence Minister Rajnath Singh are in the fray for 80 Lok Sabha polls in UP.
The highest number of 28 candidates is in the Ghosi Lok Sabha constituency and the lowest number of 4 candidates is in the Kaiserganj Lok Sabha constituency.
Chief Electoral Officer Navdeep Rinwa said that the counting of votes is being conducted at two centres each in Agra, Meerut, Azamgarh, Deoria, Sitapur and Kushinagar districts. At the same time, the counting of votes for 8 Lok Sabha constituencies is being done in 3 districts.
Postal ballot counting will take place at the counting centre of the RO Headquarters district. Votes will be counted assembly constituency-wise. After this, the result of the Lok Sabha constituency will be declared by adding the results of the assembly constituencies included in the Lok Sabha constituency.
The CEO said that the counting of votes for 80 Lok Sabha constituencies is being conducted by 80 Returning Officers and 1,581 Assistant Returning Officers.
