EC directs officers to maintain "fool-proof" security

Gandhinagar, Dec 21 (UNI) The Election Commission has directed all district election officers, Returning officers and Observers in Gujarat to maintain ''fool-proof'' security at the counting venues and no unauthorised persons should be allowed to enter the premises.

In a communication, the commission has said the Counting Centers will be thoroughly sanitized by deploying adequate security forces.

Strict discipline should be maintained and no loitering should be allowed, it said.

''Due care will be taken to keep a close watch on the counting agents, election agents as well as the candidates and proper attention must be paid to security of the candidates, Mediapersons and other officials inside the Counting hall,'' the commission said.

''Appropriate security arrangements shall also be made to maintain law and order immediately after the counting of votes and declaration of results,'' the commission added.

The EC has set up 37 counting locations in the state and counting will be taken up at 0800 hrs on Decemeber 23. The trends will be available around 0900 hrs and results of 182 constituencies is expected to be declared by evening.

UNI