• Robust security arrangements placed counting centres
• Trial run scheduled for May 31 to ensure smooth process
• Over 2,200 trained personnel deployed for vote counting
Srinagar, May 30: Preparations for the counting of votes for the five parliamentary seats in Jammu and Kashmir have been finalized. The vote counting process will begin on June 4 at 8 AM in the respective parliamentary constituencies, with a trial run scheduled for Friday, officials said.
A senior official at Chief Electoral Office (CEO) told Rising Kashmir that all the arrangements have been put in place across the union territory (UT) and trial run is scheduled for May 31 at respecting counting centres.
“The counting halls have been established and strong rooms are in place. Whatever little is pending is being done,” he said, adding that 3 centres have been in Kashmir and 2 in Jammu region.
He said that all advance arrangements should be made in a planned manner so that accurate results can be announced quickly following the guidelines of the Election Commission of India.
“Comprehensive security arrangements are in place for the counting to take place under tight security arrangements. She said that there would be three-tier security arrangements for the smooth conduct of the counting of votes.”
The official said that the counting in the Srinagar constituency will be held at SKICC-Centaur, where surveillance and security measures, seating arrangements, transportation of EVMs, and the technical setup at the counting halls are being prepared to ensure transparency, accuracy, and the timely announcement of results.
He said that the counting process will be conducted according to the Election Commission’s guidelines, under video recording. Except for the observer and the returning officer, no one will be allowed to take mobile phones inside the counting room.
“The EVMs are currently kept under a three-layer security cordon in strong rooms at SKICC-Centaur, following the completion of the voting process on May 25 for the Srinagar parliamentary constituency,” he said.
Similarly, the counting for Anantnag constituency’s 11 segments will be conducted at the Government Degree College, Anantnag. The arrangements for the Rajouri-Poonch segments have been made and have been good arrangements by the district administration in Anantnag.
The counting center and strong rooms for the Baramulla constituency have been established at Degree College Baramulla. The district administration has diligently implemented all necessary measures in compliance with the guidelines of the Election Commission of India.
In Jammu, the counting will be conducted at MAM College Jammu and Polytechnic VikramChowk. Over 400 personnel will participate in the trial run, and a total of 2,200 employees have been trained for the vote counting process. Of these, 1,500 will be on duty on counting day, with the remainder on standby.
The official said that to ensure accuracy and prevent errors, employees will adhere to a specific dress code for each assembly constituency at both locations.
“Over 265 tables will be installed at MAM College and Polytechnic, with an additional 35 tables designated for service voting. Each table will be manned by a counting assistant, counting supervisor, and micro supervisor, with AROs stationed at separate tables.”
In Udhampur, 18 halls at Government Degree College (Boys), Kathua have been earmarked for the counting of votes from all 18 assembly segments of Udhampur Parliamentary Constituency.
“The counting process will commence with the tabulation of postal ballots, followed by the counting of EVM votes from the respective segments. All necessary security measures and logistical arrangements have been planned and executed in adherence to the guidelines set forth by the Election Commission of India (ECI),” the official said.
Meanwhile, the trial, electronic voting machines (EVMs) and other election materials will be transported from the strong rooms to the counting centers and then returned. The trial will commence at 8 AM, with employees expected to report by 6 AM. All trained personnel have been instructed to be present.
As counting day approaches, eagerness and anxiety among politicians and their supporters are palpable. Many constituencies, particularly those centred in Kashmir, are witnessing fierce competition among prominent candidates.
Representatives will be present at the counting centers, and a large number of supporters are expected to gather outside. Meanwhile, with voting completed across all five seats in the state, many politicians and their supporters are in a relaxed state, some even visiting tourist destinations to unwind before the results are declared.
Jammu and Kashmir witnessed the highest poll participation in the last 35 years by registering 58.46 per cent voter turnout in the General Elections 2024.
The Union Territory comprises five Parliamentary constituencies namely Srinagar, Baramulla, AnantnagRajouri, Udhampur and Jammu.
The three constituencies in the Kashmir valley namely Srinagar recorded 38.49 per cent voter turnout, Baramulla 59.1 per cent and Anantnag-Rajouri registered a voter turnout of 54.84 per cent. The other two namely Udhampur and Jammu recorded 68.27 percent and 72.22 percent voter turnout.
