Counting to start with postal ballots in Tripura

Agartala, Mar 6: The Election Commission has ordered to begin counting of votes for the 10th Tripura Assembly with the postal ballots.

Counting begins for the 60-member assembly tomorrow. Talking to mediapersons here today, Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) Dr G S G Ayyangar said all arrangements had been made to conduct smooth counting and expected the final results by noon tomorrow. He said the state election department had already received 25,767 polled postal ballots out of about 29000 postal ballots issued, which was the highest so far in Tripura.

Besides, about 700 observers and 2500 counting personnel, the authorities have made a three-tier security layer around each counting hall at 19 stations of the state.

Several restrictions have been imposed on the political parties. Dr Ayyangar said counting would be conducted on 707 tables and the security layers comprise central security forces and TSR jawans.

Meanwhile, prohibitory orders have been imposed in and around all counting stations.

UNI