Kochi: The Ernakulam district administration has made elaborate arrangements for smooth counting of votes on Thursday.
Votes cast in two Lok Sabha constituencies, Chalakudy and Ernakulam, are counted here.
It was decided to set up 12 tables for EVMs in each round. There will be a counting supervisor, counting assistant and a micro observer for the procedure. It will take 30 to 35 minutes to complete a round.
EVMs will be taken out from the strongrooms at Kalamassery Govern-ment Polytechnic and Cochin University of Science and Technology by 7 AM. The counting will begin by 8 AM, and the first trends will be available by 8.30 AM.
After counting the votes cast in EVMs, they will start counting VVPAT slips of five EVMs in each assembly segment, which is expected to go on for up to six hours.
The two counting centres will have three-layer security. No vehicles except those of the district collector and election observers will be allowed to enter. There is a ban on mobile phones also.
There will be cloakroom facilities in the counting stations to keep phones and other things.
Extensive facilities have been set up for media reporters for covering the procedure. Trends will be available on the Suvidha and Voter Helpline apps and at www.results.eci.gov.in.
