Chennai corpn to set up model counting centre

According to a senior Corporation official, the centre would be a replica of the actual counting centre, containing facilities for seating and safety.

Even though the civic body had set up model polling booths and conducted mock polling earlier, this is the first time that a model counting centre is being set up.

“The Election Commission of India (ECI) has directed to set up one model counting centre in each State before the counting day. Adhering to that, we are planning to set up the model counting centre for Tamil Nadu at the Ripon Buildings,” the official said.

Stating that ECI officials would convene a meeting in the city next week, the official said, “the meeting will be attended by polling officials from all the districts. They will be briefed and trained in the counting process at the model counting centre.”

Explaining the reason behind the initiative, the official said that the model centre would be of great help for officials, who are on the election duty for the first time.

There are three counting centres in the city, each for three parliamentary constituencies.

Votes polled in North and Central Chennai constituencies will be counted at counting centres set up in Queen Mary’sCollege and Loyola College on May 23.

Votes polled in South Chennai constituency will be counted in the counting centre at Anna University.