Counting for Manipur elections to begin tomorrow

Imphal, Feb 26 (UNI) The fate of 279 candidates in the ninth Manipur Assembly will be known tomorrow as counting begins in 12 centres.

There will be a total of 18 counting halls, Chief Electoral Officer R R Rashmi said today. Counting will begin at 0800 hrs and is expected to conclude by late evening.

Meanwhile, a three-tier security arrangement has been put in place. No vehicle or any television crew will be allowed near the counting centres. All the District Electoral Officers and Returning Officers have been asked to ensure proper security and other arrangements, Mr Rashmi said.

The respective SPs of all the nine districts have announced traffic arrangements.

All counting centers will be guarded, Mr Rashmi said. The first cordon of security will be around the counting hall, the next and last cordons will protect the EVMs. Even police personnel will not be allowed inside the counting halls. Two senior Magistrates would be posted at the entrance of the second and third cordons, he further added.

The elections for the 60-member House were held on February 8, 14 and 23.

UNI