A.P. police gear up for counting day, step up surveillance at strongrooms, declare them as ‘Red Zone’

A.P. police gear up for counting day, step up surveillance at strongrooms, declare them as ‘Red Zone’. Flying of drones and balloons prohibited in the zone, and only pass-holders will be allowed into the counting centre, they say.

The police have declared the strongrooms where the Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) are kept as ‘Red Zone’ as a precautionary measure on the counting day on June 4, and have warned of stern action against those violating the norm.

West Godavari Superintendent of Police Ajitha Vajendla has said that a ‘No Fly Zone’ has been declared at S.R.K.R. and Vishnu Engineering Colleges in Bhimavaram where the EVMs are stored.

Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) M.K. Meena visited the strongrooms in the colleges on Thursday and enquired about the arrangements for counting. He directed the officers to take all measures to check violence.

West Godavari District Election Officer and Collector Sumit Kumar and Dr. Ajitha explained about the security plan to the CEO.

The Collector said that foolproof arrangements had been made for counting. No outsiders would be allowed into the counting centres, he said.

Dr. Ajitha told the CEO that a three-tier security had been arranged at the two counting centres with Central Armed Police Forces, Armed Reserve and Civil police.

Mr. Meena directed the officers to make arrangements for the returning officers, candidates, agents and others at the counting centres.