HC orders police protection to vote counting

KOCHI: The Kerala HC on Wednesday directed the Varkala police to provide protection for counting the ballots of the election held to the Sree Narayana Dharma Sangham Trust at Sivagiri Mutt. A Division Bench comprising Justice R Basant and Justice M C Harirani passed the order,  while considering an application filed by retired District Judge K Viswanathan Nair, who is the returning officer, seeking a directive to the state for police protection. The returning Officer submitted that 58 votes need to be counted. The ballots are kept in a box at the Federal Bank. He sought police protection for ensuring smooth and peaceful transport of the ballot boxes from the bank and to the guest house of Sivagiri Mutt where counting will be held.The court also permitted to take the assistance of advocates S Nirmal and T Reshmi to help the returning officer in vote counting. The court specifically directed that the advocates should maintain absolute secrecy of counting.