New Delhi: Counting of votes for 690 Assembly constituencies across five states -- Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Manipur, Goa and Punjab -- has begun.
The counting of votes began at 8 am amid tight security arrangements at about 1,200 centres. Altogether, 671 counting observers, 130 police observers, and 10 Special Observers have been deployed on ground to ensure the smooth counting process.
The polling was conducted in seven phases in Uttar Pradesh, two phases in Manipur and one phase in Goa, Punjab and Uttarakhand. The polling began on February 10 and lasted till March 7.
The Election Commission has also deputed two special officers - Chief Electoral Officer Delhi to Meerut and Chief Electoral Officer Bihar to Varanasi to supervise the counting arrangements.
According to the EC, strong rooms, where polled EVMs are kept, are under three layered security with inner cordon manned by Central Armed Forces.
It further said that the concerned candidates have been watching the strong room arrangements through CCTV coverage of 24x7.
It said, "There has been some rumours related to EVMs, which are totally unrelated to polled EVMs. In each case of slightest breach of protocol, swift action has been taken by the Commission against the concerned officers." (UNI)