State set for new govt,Guv appeals for calm

“I am sure all political parties of the state will accept people’s verdict in right spirit and I appeal to them to urge their followers to remain calm to sustain peace throughout the state,” the Governor said in a press statement issued late on Thursday evening.

Meanwhile,the state administration is also getting ready for a swearing-in of the next government. “Of course there were discussions on oath-taking. The Raj Bhavan has a role to play. And nothing has been finalised yet,” said Samar Ghosh,state Chief Secretary.

He added that 144 companies of Central forces would remain deployed in the state till May 23 to maintain law and order situation.

Counting for 294 Assembly seats will start from 8 am on Friday tomorrow and by 6 pm it would be clear if the much touted change becomes a reality at Writers’ Building. According to the Election Commission officials,the first trend of votes would be evident by 9.30 am.

The Commission has stepped up security arrangements for the counting day and each of the counting center will have a three-tier security arrangement — the last ring will be guarded by paramilitary personnel. The Election Commission has deployed about 75 companies of the Central forces at the counting stations. The area of 100 metres around the counting stations has been made into a pedestrian zone.

The EC officials said that except in case of 18 Assembly constituencies,the counting in the other assembly segments will be done in a single hall in the presence of returning officers,observers and candidates.

The counting will be held at 87 premises across the state and about 14,500 counting officers will be involved in the process.

“There would be SMS-based management system to monitor the counting by the Election Commission through which the returning officers will inform the commission about the results at the end of each round,” said Gupta.

Four EC officials would arrive here on Saturday for issuing notification regarding the constitution of the new Assembly in the state.