Centre warns states of possible violence on counting day

Just a day before 2019 Lok Sabha elections counting begins, Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) alerted state chief secretaries and directors general of police regarding the possibility of eruption of violence in different parts of the country.

In a statement, the Ministry also said it has asked the states and UTs to maintain law and order, peace and public tranquillity.

"MHA has asked the states and Union Territories to maintain law and order, peace and public tranquility. States/UTs have been further asked to take adequate measures for the security of strong rooms and venues of counting of votes. This is in the wake of calls given and statements made in various quarters for inciting violence and causing disruption on the day of counting of votes," the statement said.

Sources said that if the polls do not go according to a political party or candidate, there is apprehension of violence.

There have been several rounds of complaints of alleged tampering of EVMs.

In fact, protests in Uttar Pradesh were held after videos of alleged movement and tampering of voting machines went viral.

While 22 parties had approached Election Commission (EC) regarding the matter, several parties have accused the poll body of bias.

The seven-phase polling ended with last polls on May 19, the counting for which will be done on Thursday.