Counting for the Nagpur Division Graduate Constituency election began at exactly 8 a.m. today. The counting centre has been set up at the indoor stadium of the Mankapur Divisional Sports Complex in Nagpur.
According to photographs released by the administration, tight security arrangements have been made at the counting venue. The entire hall has been enclosed with mesh, and more than 50 tables, including table numbers 2, 3, 6, 11, 13, 43, 50 and 51, have been arranged. Counting of the pink ballot papers is being conducted on 14 tables at the indoor stadium.
The strong rooms were opened at 8 a.m., after which the ballot boxes were brought to the tables. Election officials and staff are taking out the pink ballot papers and counting them. The photographs show officials breaking the seals on ballot boxes and preparing bundles of ballot papers.
The election decision officer, officials from the office of the Divisional Commissioner, Nagpur, the returning officer and Election Commission staff are present at the counting centre. A receptacle box has also been placed for the counting process.
Since voting in the Graduate Constituency is conducted using ballot papers, the counting may take time. The administration has prohibited unauthorised entry to the counting venue, and the entire process is being recorded on video. The results of the first round are expected by afternoon.
