Section 144 till May 16 midnight: DC Shashikant Senthil

Vartha Bharati | 14-05-2018 | 17:00:00 IST

Mangaluru: Deputy Commissioner Shashikant Senthil has said that due to the Dakshina Kannada district being a communally sensitive place, Section 144 will be in force in the district during counting from 14 May midnight to 12 am of 16 May.

Addressing a press conference, he thanked voters and staff for assisting in peaceful voting. While the prohibition orders will be in force; gathering illegally, celebrating victory, taking out processions in the district including at counting center would wholly be prohibited.

Any misconduct around the counting center will not be entertained. The public must co-operate with the district administration in this regard. Alcohol selling will be prohibited from 6 pm of May 14th to noon on May 14th.

Complete results expected within 2 pm

"Counting will begin at 8 am On May 15 at various rooms of Mahatma Gandhi Centenary High School and PU College, Bondel. The counting process will take place in phase vise, and the overall result is expected to be announced within 2 pm," the Deputy Commissioner said.

Initially, postal ballots will be counted. All postal ballots that will be received on May 15th within 8 am will be counted. EVM votes will be counted after 30 minutes from the beginning of the counting process.

Mobile, iPad, Laptop forbidden

"As per the Election Commission's orders, a three-layer security system has been set up within 100 m of the security rooms where EVMs / VV Patts are placed. All the persons entering the counting centers are thoroughly frisked before being allowed. No person is allowed to enter without the valid pass issued by DEO. The outer zone will be a traffic-free area, and parking vehicles within the 100 meters from counting centers are restricted. Electronic devices like mobile phone, iPad, laptop, audio-video devices are restricted," Mr. Senthil informed.

Traffic diversion

Police Commissioner Vipul Kumar said that some diversions have been made to the traffic movement near Bondel MJC education institute in the wake of counting.

“Vehicular movement and parking on both sides of the road are completely prohibited from the Bondel junction to Ishwarakatte junction. Two RAF units, 6 KSRP, 6 CAR and 100 mobile patrols have been deployed in the city,” Kumar said.