Diwali delayed counting

After an eight-day wait, the citizens of Maharashtra will finally know who will govern the state for the next five years tomorrow.

After an eight-day wait, the citizens of Maharashtra will finally know who will govern the state for the next five years tomorrow. Counting was scheduled for October 22 as political parties wanted the process to take place

Votes up: EVMs being taken away after voting for Assembly polls ended on October 13. file pic

after Diwali and election commission officials agreed.

Congress spokesperson Anant Gadgil said, "Logistically, it would have taken only three to four days for shifting the EVMs to the centre and counting to begin.

But after that, it was Diwali. The parties and the state had to keep in mind that policemen would be on security duty during Diwali and the government staff would be on holiday. That is why, the state delayed the process."

Bullets & ballots
Security to be deployed during counting at the 26 EVM centres in the suburbs:u00a0
>> 3 SRPF companies of 100-120 officers each
>> 3 paramilitary companies of 100-120 officers each
>> 2,700 police officers
>> 1,500 police officers will be deployed during counting for the 10 EVM centres in the cityu00a0