Chennai, May 1:
Election officials conducted a comprehensive training session at Valluvar Kottam on Thursday, even as authorities confirmed that Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) from 16 constituencies are secured under a three-tier security system at designated counting centres across the city.
The session, held at Thiruvalluvar Hall, focused on counting procedures and responsibilities of key personnel, including returning officers, assistant returning officers, micro-observers, supervisors and assistants. The training was chaired by Additional District Election Officer and Joint Commissioner (Education) K Karpagam, who briefed officials on ensuring a smooth and transparent counting process.
According to officials, EVMs are under continuous surveillance at centres located in Queen Mary’s College, Loyola College and Anna University. Multi-layered security arrangements have been put in place to safeguard the machines until counting day.
As per the counting plan, postal ballots will be processed at four tables, while Service Voters using the Electronically Transmitted Postal Ballot System (ETPBS) will be counted at separate tables. Votes recorded in EVMs will be counted across 14 tables in each centre.
At the Queen Mary’s College centre, counting will take place over multiple rounds, including 18 rounds for Dr Radhakrishnan Nagar, 17 rounds each for Perambur and Chepauk–Triplicane, and 14 rounds each for Royapuram and Harbour. Similarly, at Loyola College, the number of rounds has been fixed at 22 for Thiru Vi Ka Nagar, 21 for Kolathur, 19 for Villivakkam, 15 for Egmore, 18 for Thousand Lights and 20 for Anna Nagar.
At Anna University, counting will be conducted in 23 rounds for Virugambakkam and Velachery, 21 rounds for Saidapet, 18 rounds for T Nagar and 20 rounds for Mylapore, reflecting the varying number of polling stations in each constituency.
Meanwhile, an all-party meeting was convened at the Ripon Building, where District Election Officer and Greater Chennai Corporation Commissioner J Kumaragurubaran briefed representatives of recognised political parties on counting-day protocols and arrangements.
Officials reiterated that all measures have been put in place to ensure a fair, transparent and orderly counting process.