In view of many poll- related violent incidents in Andhra Pradesh has caught nation-wide attention, the authorities are not taking precautionary measures for counting of votes to be conducted peacefully. As part of these measures, the Election Commission has alerted the police department and special officers were deputed to each district.
In the wake of violence in the state after the polling, the police force has focused on ensuring that there is no peace and security problem during the counting process. As part of this, in addition to the existing SPs, additional SPs, DSPs and other higher officials have been assigned additional responsibilities.
AP DGP Harish Kumar Gupta has issued orders that all of them should join duty onby Saturday evening. In the orders given by the DGP’s office, it has been stated that peace and security in sensitive areas should be entrusted to special officers.
To this extent, a total of 56 people have been appointed as special police officers. Meanwhile, 8 people have been appointed as special officers for the Palnadu district alone, where violence occurred during the polling.
On the other hand, strict restrictions will be in place at the counting centers during the counting. In this context, AP Police has warned that strict action will be taken if riots are seen at the counting centers.
It may be recalled that the Election Commission of India (ECI) was serious towards violent incidents in the state during and after polling and summoned the Chief Secretary and DGP to New Delhi for explanation. A Special Investigation Team (SIT) was formed to probe into all those incidents and action was taken against several police officers.
