CCTVs for vote count centres

SHILLONG: The State Election Department has decided to install close circuit televisions (CCTVs) and night vision devices, the first such move in the State, in eight vote counting centres for the Lok Sabha elections to clear people's doubts about any attempt to tamper with ballot boxes,

Shillong and Tura constituencies will go to polls in the first phase of the parliamentary elections on April 16. Counting of votes will be held on May 16.

Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) Prashant K Naik on Tuesday said the details of the new initiative to fix CCTVs would be available in a day or two.

"There will be a long period between voting and counting of votes for the first time. Therefore, we have decided to install surveillance cameras to ensure transparency and clear people's doubts," Mr Naik said.

Apart from CCTVs and night vision devices, central paramilitary forces will be deployed in all the counting centres, the CEO added. THE SHILLONG TIMES