TN polls: 22,000 police personnel to be deployed for counting day security in Chennai
Chennai, May 3
Chennai Police Commissioner Abin Dinesh Modak said on Sunday that around 22,000 police personnel will be deployed across the city on May 4 for the counting of votes in the Tamil Nadu Assembly elections, with comprehensive four-tier security arrangements in place at all counting centres.
In an official statement, the Chennai Metropolitan Police said that polling for the Assembly elections was held across Tamil Nadu on April 23.
Following the completion of voting, Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) from the 16 Assembly constituencies under the Chennai Metropolitan Police jurisdiction were transported under tight security by armed police teams.
The EVMs have been securely stored at three designated counting centres in the city -- Queen Mary's College, Loyola College, and Anna University.
Authorities confirmed that all machines remain under constant surveillance and protection.
As per the Commissioner's directives, elaborate four-layer security arrangements have been established at all three counting centres.
Senior officers, including Additional Commissioners, Joint Commissioners, and Deputy Commissioners, are overseeing the security measures to ensure strict compliance with protocols.
Police officials said round-the-clock security is being maintained at these centres, with personnel deployed in shifts to guarantee uninterrupted monitoring.
Entry into the counting premises has been tightly regulated, and only authorised personnel with valid identification will be allowed access.
For the counting day, apart from the deployment at the three centres, security personnel will also be stationed across key locations in the Chennai Metropolitan area to maintain law and order and prevent any untoward incidents.
The deployment will include officers of various ranks such as Additional Commissioners, Joint Commissioners, Deputy Commissioners, Assistant Commissioners, Inspectors, along with personnel from the Special Police, Armed Police, and Central Armed Police Forces.
Police sources said the extensive arrangements are aimed at ensuring a peaceful, transparent, and incident-free counting process, with adequate measures in place for crowd control and rapid response if required.
— IANS
Reader Comments
22,000 personnel is a huge deployment! But in a city like Chennai with 16 constituencies, it's necessary. Just hope the security doesn't create unnecessary delays for the general public near counting centres.
Impressive planning by Chennai Police. Four-tier security at Queen Mary's, Loyola, and Anna University - these are prestigious institutions, so they're well-suited for this. Transparent elections matter.
While security is important, I hope there's equal focus on ensuring all eligible voters' concerns are addressed. Counting day should be about faith in the process, not just heavy policing. Still, good effort by Commissioner Modak.
Four-layer security means serious commitment to free and fair elections. The inclusion of Central Armed Police Forces alongside local police is a smart move. Let's hope the results reflect the people's will. 👍
Finally, proper security! But let's not forget that the real battle is against money power and voter intimidation. Hope the police also crack down on any irregularities during counting. Jai Hind! 🇮🇳
Round-the-clock shifts for security personnel shows dedication. Chennai Police deserves appreciation for this meticulous planning in a democratic exercise. Let's hope the counting process sets a benchmark.
We welcome thoughtful discussions from our readers. Please keep comments respectful and on-topic.