Staff fully geared up: CEO

Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, May 22

After taking a round of polling stations all over the state, the Chief Electoral Officer (CEO), Punjab, today said all arrangements were in place and gave a “satisfied” report. The results will decide the fate of 278 candidates from 13 constituencies.

As many as 1.37 crore out of 2.07 crore voters cast their ballot on May 19.

Dr S Karuna Raju, CEO, said, “Our staff is fully geared up for the counting tomorrow. The counting begins at 8 am. A 100-m zone has been earmarked for pedestrians. No vehicle will be allowed in this zone.”

To a question on more than earmarked votes at a centre in Ludhiana, Dr Raju said, “This is possible only if the team did not erase the data after they finished the job. We are sure of our preparedness, but we will still confirm the facts when the counting begins.”

Complainant SAD candidate from Ludhiana Maheshinder Grewal said, “I am satisfied with the reply of the election office.”

“The result trends will start showing by afternoon and a majority of the election results are expected before 11 pm,” a senior officer said.

Thirty-nine companies of central forces have been deployed for the security of EVMs at 21 locations across the state ahead of Thursday’s counting of votes in the Lok Sabha elections, an official said.