Coimbatore: BJP cadres protested in front of the vote counting centre at the Government College of Technology on Thadagam Road here on Saturday, demanding election officials to provide political parties’ agents basic facilities at the centre.
It is to be noted that the DMK, AIADMK, BJP, Naam Tamilar Katchi (NTK), Makkal Needhi Maiam (MNM) and independent candidates have deployed their agents at the counting centre in shift basis to ensure there isn’t any foul play.
While the agents were not initially allowed to use their mobile phones, which they were asked to hand over to officials at the entrance, on the counting centre premises, district collector cum election officer S Nagarajan had in consultation with police decided to allow the agents to take their phones with them till the mini police control room at the centre on Saturday, based on some political outfits’ complaints.
Meanwhile, BJP district president R Nandhakumar led the protest in front of the counting centre on the day. He said the agents were not having proper food, drinking water and toilet facilities at the centre. “The government should provide basic amenities to the agents. During the pandemic, the agents have been put up in a narrow place, where they can’t maintain social distancing. There is a high chance of Covid-19 spread among them.”