THE JHARKHAND STORY NETWORK
Daltonganj, February 25: Final touches are being given to preparations for the counting of votes for the five urban local body elections scheduled for February 27.
The Palamu district administration is taking special precautions regarding the handling of empty ballot boxes, as such boxes have historically led to confusion and suspicion during counting.
A safe and separate space has been earmarked under strict vigil for the storage of empty ballot boxes. Officials stated that keeping empty boxes well away from polled ballot boxes helps maintain transparency and prevent unnecessary speculation during the counting process.
District Election Officer (Municipality) and Deputy Commissioner of Palamu, Sameera S, has issued clear instructions to ensure that empty ballot boxes are stored separately from the polled ones.
Lessons from Past Elections
Officials recalled the 1995 Vidhan Sabha election, when a boycott call by the Maoist Communist Centre resulted in several empty ballot boxes. Those empty boxes were reportedly mixed with polled ballot boxes, leading to chaos at the counting centre at Bairya More Bazar Samiti.
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The administration has stated it will not take any risks this time and is determined to avoid a repeat of such confusion.
On Wednesday, Deputy Commissioner Sameera S, Superintendent of Police Reeshma Ramesan, Deputy Development Commissioner Md Jawed Hussain and Deputy Election Officer (Municipality) Ratan Kumar Singh held detailed discussions at the strong room and counting centre premises to finalise secure storage arrangements.
Clear Distinction Between Announcement and Declaration
Officials have also clarified the difference between counting announcements and the formal declaration of results.
District Election Officer Sameera S said, “Announcements relate to the rounds completed and votes polled by candidates. The concerned Returning Officer will make the declaration of results.”
The clarification comes in light of a 1999 Lok Sabha election incident in Palamu, when an announcement was misconstrued as a formal declaration, leading to unrest at the counting centre.
Three-Tier Security in Place
Superintendent of Police Reeshma Ramesan confirmed that a three-tier security arrangement will be deployed on the counting day. Separate parking facilities will be arranged for senior officers, observers and Returning Officers to prevent congestion.
A robust public address system will also be installed to ensure announcements are clearly communicated.
Following what officials described as fair, peaceful and incident-free polling, the district administration expressed confidence that counting and declaration of results will also be conducted in a transparent and orderly manner.
Sequence of Counting
Counting will begin with votes for Ward Commissioners and Ward Members of the Medininagar Municipal Corporation, Nagar Panchayats and Nagar Parishad. Thereafter, counting will commence for the posts of Mayor and Chiefs of Nagar Panchayats and Nagar Parishads.
Medininagar Municipal Corporation has 35 wards. The Nagar Panchayats of Chhatarpur, Harihurganj and Hussainabad have 16 wards each, while Bishrampur Nagar Parishad has 20 wards.