Pune: In a breach of security protocols at the FCI warehouse in Koregaon Park, 20 political party workers and one journalist were caught attempting to bring mobile phones into the vote counting center by concealing them in their shoes and socks.

The vote counting center, which oversaw counts for the eight assembly constituencies of Wadgaon Sheri, Shivajinagar, Kothrud, Khadakwasla, Parvati, Hadapsar, Cantonment, and Kasba, had a strict ban on mobile phones and other electronic devices in accordance with the Election Commission’s guidelines.

The Central Election Commission’s directive, enforced by Additional Police Commissioner Ranjan Kumar Sharma, prohibited the carrying of mobile phones, electronic gadgets, matchboxes, or other inflammable items inside the counting center to maintain a secure environment.

Authorized representatives of candidates were issued identification badges for entry but were required to leave any prohibited items outside. Media personnel were also restricted from bringing gadgets beyond the designated media center within the premises.

Despite the security measures, including metal detectors and manual inspections at various points, the police discovered that some individuals had managed to hide mobile phones in their shoes in an attempt to bypass the regulations.

Upon learning of these violations, the Additional Commissioner promptly dispatched a Deputy Commissioner to the site with orders to remove any offenders from the center immediately. This resulted in the expulsion of 20 political party workers and one journalist from the vote counting center.

Strict prohibitory orders remain in place to ensure the integrity and security of the vote counting process, which is a high-priority matter for the Election Commission.