Kerala set for counting of votes

Thiruvananthapuram, May 13: All arrangements have been made for smooth counting of votes that begins Friday 8 a.m. in 160 halls across the state, an election official said.

Kerala Chief Electoral Officer Nalini Netto said there are 21,427 electronic voting machines (EVMs) whose recorded votes have to be counted, besides the postal votes.

"...this is the longest time that the EVMs have been kept under security. As many as 56 observers will oversee the counting process across the 160 halls," said Netto.

She also pointed out that the trend of counting would be available in real time on the Central Election Commission's website and there would be separate channels for the media, which will have to make arrangements with the service providers.

"The public can access the results on www.trend.kerala.gov.in and for those on the move it would be available on android supported mobile phones by downloading the application 'Kerala Election'," said Netto.

"In all likelihood, the results of Mavelikera constituency, which has nine candidates, will be known first, and the Thiruvananthapuram constituency with 20 candidates might be known last," she added.

Kerala has 20 Lok Sabha constituencies and the exit polls have predicted that the Congress-led United Democratic Front will do well.

IANS