GHMC Elections 2020: 3-tier security setup for strong rooms

Hyderabad: The police chiefs of Tri-Commissionerate on Wednesday visited the counting centres in their respective jurisdiction and inspected the security details of the centers.

The police department has set up a three-tier security for the prevention of ballot boxes at strong rooms. In the first tier, patrolling teams will guard the street and in second tier barricades are placed at the counting centers whereas in third tier the TSSP cops will guard the strong rooms.

V C Sajjanar, Cyberabad Police Commissioner, said that the TSSP and law & order police had been clearly instructed to ensure the safety and security of the strong rooms. He noted, "The three-tier security arrangements have been made for the protection of ballot boxes. We will note down the details of any person entering the strong room and all the centers are being monitored through CCTV cameras." Hyderabad Police Commissioner Anjani Kumar, along with nodal officers, GHMC officials, senior police officers and others, inspected the 14 counting centres setup in Hyderabad Commissionerate.

While interacting with media, Anjani Kumar noted, "An Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP) level officer will be on duty at each centre round the clock and one Additional Deputy Commissioner of Police level officer has been appointed for every three counting centres and each strong room is being monitored via video recordings, as per the orders of the State Election Commissioner. Also, no person can be present up to 200 meters of the strong room."

A police outpost, a control room, and a media point would also be set up at each counting centre. Apart from it, each ballot box from the strong room will be moved to the counting table in the presence of a police escort. It is also requested to political parties not to take out victory rallies for 48 hours after the results, added the officer.

The strong room at Sanath Nagar that falls under Cyberabad Police Commissionerate was visited by Sajjanar and other officers. Mahesh Bhagwat, Rachakonda police commissioner also visited the counting centers at Neredmet, Nacharam, Ramanthapur and reviewed the security arrangements.