Visakhapatnam: The election authorities in Andhra Pradesh are gearing up for the counting of votes cast in the simultaneous elections to the Lok Sabha and Assembly seats, scheduled for June 4. Comprehensive preparations are underway in Visakhapatnam, Anakapalli, and Alluri Sitharama Raju (ASR) districts.

On May 23, the Collectors and Election Officers from these districts reviewed the arrangements. Visakhapatnam Collector A. Mallikarjuna, Anakapalli Collector Ravi Pattan Shetty, and ASR Collector M. Vijaya Suneetha participated in a video conference with Andhra Pradesh Chief Electoral Officer Mukesh Kumar Meena to discuss the upcoming vote counting process.

Security and Monitoring
Three-tier security arrangements are being implemented to ensure the counting process is secure. Collector Mallikarjuna stated that around 500 civil police personnel, in addition to central security forces, will be deployed at strongrooms and counting centers in Visakhapatnam. A total of 176 CCTV cameras will monitor all activities during the counting process. The counting of postal ballots will begin first, followed by the counting of votes cast through EVMs.

Detailed Arrangements
In Visakhapatnam, seven halls have been designated with 98 tables arranged for the Lok Sabha constituency vote counting. There will be one counting supervisor, a counting assistant, and a micro-observer for each table. The process will include 140 rounds of counting, with postal ballots being counted in three rounds across two halls with 18 tables.

For the Assembly constituencies, similar arrangements have been made. An additional three rounds will be held specifically for the Pendurthi Assembly constituency. In total, five halls have been identified for postal ballot counting, with 33 tables set up.

Training and Randomisation
The officials and staff involved in the counting process will undergo training, and the first round of randomization will take place on May 25, followed by a second round on June 2. These measures are being taken to ensure the results are announced promptly and accurately, adhering to the guidelines of the Election Commission of India (ECI).

Summary
The comprehensive security and monitoring arrangements highlight the diligence of the election authorities in ensuring a smooth and transparent counting process. The authorities urge the public to refrain from spreading misinformation and assure that strict measures are in place to maintain order and accuracy in the counting of votes.

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