Technical snag, tedious procedures delay vote count

Nagpur: Technical snag and slow pace of work marred the counting process for Nagpur and Ramtek constituencies on Thursday at the APMC’s Kalamna market.
The technical snag occurred during counting of electronically transmitted postal ballot system (ETPBS) votes of armed forces personnel as the server slowed down. The snag was reported to the Election Commission of India (ECI) after which it was removed.
The vote count got delayed due one or the other reasons which authorities couldn’t explain properly. Even the first round, which was supposed to end in an hour by 9.30am, concluded at 10.45am, an hour and 20 minutes behind schedule.
Collector Ashwin Mudgal attributed the delay to multiple checking and verification being done before finalizing the tally. “We want to ensure error-free results. Since it’s for the first time they’re doing it, it will take some time.”
Though he assured that further rounds would be expedited, all were delayed over one hour. Even the postal ballot counting was delayed by over three hours as it took time to segregate them and then find out invalid votes.
On Thursday, the Kalamna market was abuzz with activities since early morning. Entire area was already under a thick security blanket since the polling on April 11 as sealed EVMs were kept in a godown. Since last couple of days, the security was beefed up and entire market was closed for three days.
Due to strict three-layered security, party supporters were prohibited inside and only cardholders who were deputed to monitor the counting process, were allowed. None of the visitors, including the candidates, were allowed to carry mobile phones, except media persons and top officials on duty.
At 6.30am, concrete wall especially erected at the entrance of the godown where the EVMs were kept was broken and the units were ferried to the fruit auction hall 3 and 4 where counting was to be conducted for Nagpur and Ramtek constituencies, respectively. The process was conducted in the presence of candidates’ representatives.
Before 8am, the premises were crowded by party workers and authorized representatives of all candidates. Former mayor Pravin Datke, Gadkari’s officer on special duty (OSD) Sudhir Deulgaonkar and other seniors were guiding BJP supporters. From Congress, leaders like Abhijit Wanjari were leading the party’s camp.
Besides Mudgal, who is returning officer (RO) for Nagpur constituency, deputy election officer Rajlaxmi Shah, additional RO Shrikant Phadke were on their toes during the counting process.
Among major candidates, Kishor Gajbhiye, who’s pitted against sitting MP Krupal Tumane from Ramtek, was present. He also raised objections over procedure once, due to which counting was stalled for some time.
Later in the afternoon, commissioner of police Bhushan Kumar Upadhyay visited the premises to monitor security arrangements.
He told TOI that entire process was peacefully underway.
The results of the rounds were declared on loudspeakers, after which BJP and Sena candidates were seen greeting each other.