Mumbai, Jan 16 (UNI) Vote counting for the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) elections will commence at 10 am on Friday at 23 designated centres across Mumbai, Municipal Commissioner and District Election Officer Bhushan Gagrani said.
He said the exercise will be conducted in compliance with the guidelines of the Election Commission of India and the Model Code of Conduct. Comprehensive arrangements have been put in place to ensure the process is carried out smoothly, with adequate security, traffic regulation and law-and-order measures across the city.
In a statement issued, the BMC said the counting plan has been approved by the Municipal Commissioner. A total of 23 Returning Officers have been appointed to oversee counting for the city’s 227 municipal wards. Counting halls and strong rooms under their respective jurisdictions have been identified and cleared after receiving approvals from the Public Works Department and the Police Department.
Gagrani reviewed the preparedness along with senior officials, including Additional Municipal Commissioner (City) Ashwini Joshi and Special Officer (Election) Vijay Balamwar, among others. He said all steps have been taken to ensure that the counting is conducted in a transparent and time-bound manner.
Arrangements include finalised layouts of counting centres, table allocation, deployment of trained staff, CCTV monitoring, fire safety measures and the availability of medical facilities. Close coordination has also been maintained with the police to avoid any untoward incidents during the process.
For the counting operation, 2,299 personnel have been deployed, comprising supervisors, assistants and Class IV staff. Officials said all personnel have undergone mandatory training ahead of the exercise.
Traffic arrangements have been put in place, with designated parking spaces and separate areas for media personnel near the counting centres. The results will be counted and declared using a computerised system to ensure they are accurate and transparent.
Entry into counting centres will be restricted to authorised candidates, their representatives and accredited media personnel carrying valid identity cards issued by the Election Department. Authorities have urged all concerned to strictly follow the instructions of the Maharashtra State Election Commission.
