3 tier security for counting centres: Police Commissioner

Elections to 38 Lok Sabha seats and bypolls for 18 Assembly segments in Tamil Nadu on Thursday ended by and large peacefully and the turnout for Parliamentary polls stood at 70.90 per cent, Chief Electoral Officer Satyabrata Sahoo said.

"The EVMs were taken to the counting centres and were put under lock and seal in the presence of political parties, candidates and officials" Sahoo added.

In a press meet, Police Commissioner AK Viswanathan said, "The centres will be given a 3 tier security. It will be protected by paramilitary personnel and the State police. The EVMs of Chennai North and Perambur will be secured in Queen Mary's college, Central Chennai's EVMs in Loyala College and the EVMs of South Chennai will be kept in Anna University. "

"Around 1,000 police personnel will be engaged in the security on a rotational basis and a Assistant Commissioner will be appointed for each centre to monitor the security measures. The Returning officers and their representatives will also keep a tab on them, while political parties can have their representatives at the locations. The centres will also be monitored through CCTVs." , he said.

The joint press meet was also attended by Assistant Commissioner Sundaramoorthy and Inspector Devanarayanan.