All arrangements have been put in place for counting of votes for Lok Sabha and four state assemblies of Andhra Pradesh, Odisha, Sikkim and Arunachal Pradesh tomorrow. The counting will begin at 8 AM and trends are likely to start coming in by afternoon, while results are expected by the evening.

Counting of Electronically Transmitted Postal Ballot System (ETPBS) and Postal Ballots will be taken up first. Counting personnel will randomly select five EVMs from each Assembly segments for matching with VVPAT slips as directed by the Supreme Court.

The Apex Court had on April 8 asked the Election Commission to increase the random matching of VVPAT slips with EVMs from one to five polling booths per assembly segments in Lok Sabha polls. The Supreme Court yesterday rejected a PIL seeking 100 per cent matching of VVPAT slips with EVMs.

Elaborate security arrangements have been made to ensure smooth and hassle-free counting. There will be three-tier security in place with the outer cordon beginning 100 metres away from the counting centre.

The middle layer at the entrance will be followed by the inner layer. Prohibitory orders under section 144 CrPC will be promulgated within 100 meters of the counting centres. No one will be permitted to carry mobile phones inside the counting centres.