Chennai, 03 May (H.S.):With Chennai gearing up for the counting of votes in the Tamil Nadu Assembly elections on May 4, Police Commissioner Abin Dinesh Modak on Sunday announced the deployment of around 22,000 police personnel across the city to ensure a secure and orderly process.

He said elaborate four-tier security arrangements have been put in place at all counting centres, with senior officers closely supervising operations to prevent any untoward incidents. Polling for the 234 Assembly constituencies in the state was held on April 23.

Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) from the 16 Assembly constituencies under the Chennai Metropolitan Police limits were transported under tight security by armed police teams immediately after polling. The machines are currently stored at three key counting centres—Queen Mary’s College, Loyola College, and Anna University—where they remain under continuous surveillance.

According to police officials, senior officers including Additional Commissioners, Joint Commissioners, and Deputy Commissioners have been assigned supervisory roles to oversee the implementation of security protocols at these centres. Multi-layered access control systems have been enforced, allowing entry only to authorised personnel carrying valid identification.

Round-the-clock security has been ensured through shift-based deployment of personnel, with constant monitoring of the premises. In addition to safeguarding the counting centres, police presence will be heightened across the city, particularly in sensitive locations, to maintain law and order.

The deployment includes personnel from the city police, Armed Reserve, Special Police units, and Central Armed Police Forces. Officials said the large-scale mobilisation is aimed at ensuring a transparent counting process, preventing disruptions, and enabling swift response to any contingency.

Authorities expressed confidence that the robust arrangements will ensure a peaceful and orderly counting day in Chennai.

---------------

Hindusthan Samachar / Arun Lakshman