Nuapada: With counting day approaching, elaborate security arrangements have been made for the Nuapada Assembly by-election, scheduled for November 14.
Nuapada Collector Madhusudan Dash informed that a three-tier security arrangement has been implemented to ensure a peaceful and transparent counting process.
“As per the ECI guideline Central Armed Police Forces personnel have been deployed round-the-clock at innermost cordon at the strongroom, where Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) have been securely stored in the presence of candidates. The entire area is under CCTV surveillance, and counting halls have been fully prepared for the process. Representatives of various political parties have also been permitted to set up camps outside the strongroom to observe proceedings,” said Dash.
According to the Collector Dash, counting will begin at 8 AM with postal ballot paper counting, followed by EVM counting from 8:30 AM. Counting will take place in 26 rounds across 14 tables.
Each table will be managed by a counting supervisor and an assistant, with a micro-observer assigned to each table for oversight, Dash said. The Returning Officer will supervise the entire counting process, he added.
Dash also noted that the Nuapada by-election recorded a voter turnout of 83.45%, one of the highest in recent times. Out of 2,54,497 total voters, 2,12,385 exercised their franchise — comprising 1,03,857 male voters and 1,08,383 female voters, he added.
The high turnout reflects the strong participation of voters, while authorities are maintaining strict vigilance to ensure smooth and secure vote counting on Friday.
