Bhubaneswar: Khurda district election officer (DEO) of Odisha has issued a ban on communication gadgets into the counting centres in the district.
Khurda collector and DEO Chanchal Rana, in an official order on Monday, said the counting of votes polled during four-phase elections to Lok Sabha and Assembly seats in the district would be held on Tuesday as per the schedule announced by the Election Commission of India (ECI).
The counting process is scheduled to be held at BJB Autonomous College, Bhubaneswar; PN Autonomous College, Khurda and EVMNVPATs warehouse, Khurda from 8 am on Tuesday.
“In order to ensure free, fair and peaceful conduct of counting process and strict adherence to the instructions and rules laid down by Election Commission of India, the prohibitory order will be in force in the counting centres from 4 am,” the DEO said.
The ban has been imposed on mobile phones, Tablets, smart watches and other communication and recording devices in counting venues. The ban will remain in force till completion of the counting process. However, the restriction is not applicable to authorised persons.
Any person who contravenes the order will be liable to be punished in accordance with the provisions of Section-188 of IPC and other relevant provisions of law, the DEO order stated.
