DGP directs SPs to make elaborate preparation for counting of votes

Surjit Kumar Dhal,Cuttack, May 19: Odisha Police, Odisha Special Armed Police, APR, OAPF, Home Guard and other Central Para Military Forces will be deployed during the counting of votes across the State to avoid any disturbances and untoward incident.

DGP  Dr RP Sharma on Saturday reviewed the arrangements for the counting of votes to the Lok Sabha and Assembly Election – 2019 with Commissioner of Police, Range IsGP / DIsGP / SsP / DCPs through video conferencing at the State Police Headquarters.

He asked DGP asked the SPs to make full proof three-tier security arrangement in the counting centres as per the guideline of Election Commission of India (ECI).

The Strong Room with EVMs shall be guarded by CAPF while inner ring shall be guarded by State Armed Police and Peripheral deployment by local District Police, he said and advised the SPs to give their extra security requirements in terms of man power latest by 19.05.2019.

The requirement should be placed before Additional DGP (Law & Order), he said.

Notably, at present 69 companies of CAPF are deployed in different districts and guarding the strong room guarding.

Another 12 Companies of CAPF are expected to reach the State shortly to manage the counting task, the DGP said

Sharma asked the SPs to open control rooms in the vicinity of counting centres equipped with VHF, PA system and other communication equipments.

He said the counting may continue till late in the evening and directed the SPs to make additional arrangement of light and drinking water etc for the public outside the counting centre premises.

As many as 172 platoons of Special Armed Police and 69 companies of Central Armed Police Force have been arranged for deployment in the State during the counting of votes, he said adding, extra force may be deployed as per the requirement of SPs.

A threadbare discussion was held with the SPs on assessment of sensitive centres and preparedness,manpower deployment plan for the counting centres, proper barricading of counting centres as well as outside to check massive public gathering, traffic regulation around counting centres, installation of CCTV cameras both inside and outside the counting centres, provision of VHF and Public Address system at each centre, provision of drinking water and light arrangement at the centres,  arrangement of robust patrolling system in the district to counter post poll violence if any, preparedness for declaration of results and victory processions, extra security arrangement for victory processions,  safety and security of EVMs, installation of metal detector at the entrance of the counting halls, total restriction on mobile phones use in the counting hall, extra vigil to curb post-poll violence, deployment of SOG in the counting centres of Naxal infested areas and advanced collection of intelligence and provision of video recording of the counting process.

All Senior Officers of State Police Hdqrs including Director Intelligence, ADGP (Operation), ADGP (Modernisation), ADGP (L&O), IGP (Personnel) and IGP (Hdqrs) were present in the meeting.