An unprecedented security plan was put in place to count votes in Andhra Pradesh peacefully. The Election Commission of India (ECI) took extra precautions for the vote counting on June 4, following post-poll violence in parts of the state, especially Palnadu.
A total of 3.33 crore people voted in AP, with over 4.61 lakh casting postal ballots. Additionally, there were 26,473 votes through home voting and 26,721 service voters who cast their votes electronically.
There were 2,443 EVM tables and 443 postal ballot tables set up for the Lok Sabha constituencies, and 2,446 EVM tables and 557 postal ballot tables set up for the Assembly constituencies.
Around 401 counting halls were set up in 33 locations across the state. The counting for Amalapuram Lok Sabha Constituency would take place in 27 rounds, while Rajamahendravaram and Narsapuram constituencies would have 13 rounds of counting.
AP CEO Mukesh Kumar Meena confirmed that all arrangements for counting had been completed. There would be special focus on counting postal ballots and EVMs, with media rooms set up at every center.
AP DGP Harish Kumar Gupta emphasized taking action against provocative social media posts and fake news. Police would register cases under the IT Act and take strict measures against offenders.
CRPF IG Charu Sinha arrived in Vijayawada to monitor the deployment of central forces in troubled areas. In total, 50 companies of CRPF were deployed in AP for vote counting.
The government declared June 4 as a Dry Day, ordering the closure of all wine shops. In sensitive districts, wine shops would remain closed for three days.
