All set for Bagalkot bypoll vote count on May 4

Bagalkot: All preparations have been completed for vote counting for the Bagalkot Assembly byelection, scheduled at the University of Horticultural Sciences on Monday (May 4), district election officer and DC Sangappa said Saturday.Sangappa said counting will begin at 8am, with candidates, election agents and counting agents directed to be present by 7am. "The security room will be opened in the presence of election observers, candidates and agents," he said.For EVM counting, 14 tables have been arranged in Room No 4 on the ground floor. One table in Room No 9 on the ground floor has been earmarked for counting of postal ballots, while another table there will be used for scanning of ETBPS. "Each table will have one counting supervisor, one counting assistant and a micro observer. An assistant election officer will be present at each table," Sangappa said.A separate table has been arranged for QR code scanning of postal ballots received from service voters, with one scanning supervisor, one assistant and two assistant election officers appointed. A total of 63 staff members, including reserve personnel, have been assigned to the counting process.A public address system has been installed to announce details of each round. Separate parking has been arranged for candidates and their agents on the eastern side of the venue. Counting agents will not be allowed through the main gate. Parking for their vehicles has been arranged about 200 metres away via the road opposite the district veterinary hospital. Only staff and media personnel will be allowed through the main gate. Mobile phones are prohibited inside the counting centre.Prohibitory order enforced: A prohibitory order under Section 163 of the Indian Civil Safety Code 2023 will be in force from 6am on May 4 to 6am on May 5. Sale and supply of liquor will be prohibited within a 10-km radius of the Bagalkot assembly constituency from 6am to midnight on May 4.