Raipur/Durg/Mahasmund,CG: Chief Electoral Officer of Chhattisgarh, Reena Babasaheb Kangale on Thursday visited Rajnandgaon, Durg and Mahasamund to inspect the preparations for the counting of votes to be held on June 4.

She took stock of the security arrangements of EVMs kept in strong rooms in all three district headquarters. She inspected the counting rooms being prepared for counting of votes.

Additional CEO Nileshkumar Mahadev Kshirsagar, Assistant CEO Rashmi Verma and Commissioner of Durg Division Satyanarayan Rathore, Collector and District Election Officer of the three districts, Superintendent of Police, Deputy District Election Officer and Assistant Returning Officer were also present.

Kangale reviewed the arrangements made for assembly-wise counting rooms, meeting of candidates and their counting agents, entry passes, monitoring through CCTV cameras, videography on the day of counting, security arrangements, barricading, postal ballots and VVPAT slips in the three districts. She also took stock of counting arrangements, media centre and announcement venue.

She said that mobile phones, iPads, laptops, smart watches, cameras and other electronic devices will be banned in the counting hall. Media representatives can take mobile phones to the media centre.

She asked the media representatives to observe the counting of votes in small groups. After observing the drawing-design of the counting venue and counting rooms, she asked officials to display it in the counting venue for the convenience of the election agents so that the agents can easily reach their designated counting room.

She also inquired about the arrangements for bringing the control unit from the strong room to the counting room and back for counting of votes. She held discussion with the representatives of political parties present outside the strong room and took feedback regarding the security and monitoring arrangements of the strong room and the arrangements at the counting venue.

The representatives of the parties expressed satisfaction, describing the security arrangements as solid.

The counting of votes cast in three phases in the state for the Lok Sabha General Election-2024 will take place on June 4 in all the respective district headquarters.