Assam Chief Secretary Dr Ravi Kota reviewed preparedness for counting of votes of Assam Assembly polls slated on May 4. Dr Kota took stock of the arrangements in a video conference with the DGP, Additional Chief Secretary (Home), and other senior officers, all District Commissioners, Senior Superintendents of Police, and Commanding Officers of battalions. He reviewed security arrangements for strong rooms and maintaining post-poll law and order. “The instructions of the ECI are clear and must be followed in letter and spirit. All districts have been directed to ensure foolproof security, continuous vigil over strong rooms, and strict adherence to counting procedures,” he said.
Post-poll directions emphasized mandatory visits to strong rooms/counting centres by concerned officials, deployment of adequate police and paramilitary forces for counting, ensuring the arrival of forces and strict enforcement of security protocols on counting day, declaration and enforcement of dry day on counting day, regulation/restriction of victory processions to prevent clashes, robust arrangements to curb any post-poll violence, close monitoring of pending court cases and electoral offence cases, and zero tolerance for lapses. All officers were instructed to ensure peaceful, transparent, and incident-free counting and a stable post-poll environment, Dr Kota mentioned.