LS Polls: Candidates’ future locked in; EVM, VVPAT kept under tight security

Team Udayavani, Apr 27, 2024, 9:34 AM IST

Mangaluru / Udupi: After days of campaigning, the voting process for the Dakshina Kannada and Udupi-Chikmaglur Lok Sabha constituencies concluded peacefully on Friday.

Following the polling, voting machines were transported from the polling booths to the de-mustering centers of the respective constituencies in the evening. The machines have since been securely relocated to the strong room at NITK, Surathkal, Mangaluru.

Tight security at NITK

The VVPAT and EVM machines are under tight security at NITK, with armed paramilitary forces and police ensuring their safety. Security personnel will maintain vigilance over the machines in shifts, with approximately 40 days remaining until the vote counting.

The de-mustering process, particularly from booths in Sullia and Belthangadi, led to late-night operations. Despite the assignment of women teams for election duty, delays in the process prompted family members to wait near the de-mustering centers on Friday night.

Anticipation Builds for Counting

Candidates, party leaders, activists, and voters eagerly await the counting of votes, with discussions already underway regarding potential outcomes.

District officials, including District Collector and District Election Officer Mullai Mugilan MP, Mangaluru City Police Commissioner Anupam Agrawal, District Police Superintendent Rishyant C B, and Election Police Observer Binita Thakur, have inspected the NITK center and confirmed preparations.

Counting on June 4:

The counting of votes is scheduled for June 4 at the NITK campus in Suratkal and St. Cecily’s High School in Udupi. With more than a month until the results are revealed, the anticipation continues to mount among stakeholders.