Jawans of Jharkhand Armed Police, CRPF and district police are manning the Krishi Prangan Bazar Samiti where EVMs of four constituencies have been stored.

Entry for everyone is prohibited at this high security zone except government officials, employees and workers of different political parties who are keeping vigil in shifts.

The four constituencies whose EVMs have been kept here are Hazaribagh, Mandu, Barkatha and Barhi. All the four constituencies voted on December 12, Phase III of the five-phase Jharkhand Assembly elections.

The counting for these four seats will be held here on December 23.

The Bazar Samiti is around 4km away from Hazaribagh town on the Ranchi-Patna NH-33. Sources said senior officials were picked who were given duties in any of the three shifts to ensure no breach in security. Three officers are doing duty per shift. Officials said dozens of barriers have been set up to foil any attempt at unauthorised entry.

Representatives of the candidates of the four constituencies are also keeping vigil round the clock.

Officials said on counting day traffic on NH-33 may be diverted from this point, and security personnel will be deployed at the counting centre to avoid any clash.