AGARTALA, May 15 (TIWN): ECI Counting Observer Veena Ghanekar along with Returning Officer Abhishek Singh, Superintendent of Police Bijoy Nag and Asst Returning Officer Manik Lal Das today visited the Counting Halls at UK Academy and Umkantana English Medium School.

The visit was aimed to oversee the preparation for the counting of votes scheduled to begin tomorrow amid tight security, according to official sources.

“The Counting Observer is satisfied with the counting preparation at Umakanta Academy and Umkantana English Medium School where EVMs of eight Assembly constituencies would be conducted tomorrow”, said an official of the West Tripura district administration.

There would be three-layer security arrangement at the counting halls with CRPF personnel keeping vigil inside counting hall and in front of strong rooms.

This time, the counting will be conducted in 36 halls in 12 locations amid tight security. While counting of EVMs will be conducted in 34 halls across the state, two halls have been set up for counting of postal ballots.

According to sources all the 14 Counting Observers who have arrived yesterday, visited Counting Hall to oversee the preparation for May 16 counting of votes.

Reports said, the Observers has had meeting with RO and AROs to know the arrangement for counting process and they appeared to be satisfied with counting preparation.

While West Tripura Lok Sabha constituency went on polling on April 7, the East Tripura Lok Sabha seat witnessed polling on April 12 and the polling was peaceful.

The average turnout of voters was 84 percent, highest in the nine-phase Parliamentary elections in the country. 

Observer Vina Ghanakar with RO Abhishek Singh  visiting Vote Counting Hall at Umakanta Academy on Thrusday. TIWN Pic May 15