Lucknow: Counting of votes for the biennial elections to five Graduates’ and six Teachers’ constituencies of the Uttar Pradesh Legislative Council will begin at 8am on Tuesday. UP chief electoral officer Navdeep Rinwa has directed returning officers to ensure elaborate security and logistical arrangements during the counting.In instructions issued on Monday, Rinwa directed officials to ensure uninterrupted power supply at all counting centres, with automatic-switch generators as backup to prevent disruptions.Adequate security personnel must remain deployed until counting concludes, while CCTV surveillance and videography will be mandatory to monitor the process.The CEO instructed officials to restrict entry of unauthorised persons, ensure sufficient stationery at counting tables and deploy trained personnel.Since Legislative Council elections follow the proportional representation system through the single transferable vote, counting may take longer than conventional elections. Accordingly, additional trained officials and employees must remain on reserve duty.Candidates will be informed about guidelines governing the appointment of counting agents, while necessary identification badges should be arranged.Rinwa directed that counting strictly follow the Conduct of Elections Rules and Election Commission guidelines.He warned that negligence or violations of prescribed procedures would be viewed seriously.
