Tripura to implement three-tier security for vote counting in 20 locations: CEO

Agartala: A robust three-tier security system will be in place during the counting of Lok Sabha election results on June 4 at 20 designated locations throughout the state, announced Tripura Chief Electoral Officer Puneet Agarwal.

The vote counting for Tripura's two Lok Sabha constituencies and the 7-Ramnagar Assembly Constituency by-election will commence at 8 am on June 4, 2024.

“Counting will be conducted at 20 locations spread across district and sub-divisional headquarters,” said CEO Agarwal.

He specified that the 1-Tripura West Parliamentary Constituency will have its votes counted at seven centers, while the 2-East Tripura (ST) Parliamentary Constituency will utilize 15 centers.

“Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) and other voting materials are securely stored in strong rooms at these 20 locations. A total of 60 counting halls will be set up across the two parliamentary constituencies for EVM counting. Additionally, two separate halls have been designated for the counting of postal ballots at the respective headquarters,” Agarwal elaborated.

Media centers are established at all counting centers, allowing journalists to access them with mobile phones.

“CCTV systems will monitor the counting halls, strong rooms, and corridors. The three-tier security system will ensure no unauthorized entries. Only official cameras will be permitted inside the counting halls, while matchboxes, weapons, and inflammable items will be strictly prohibited by state police,” the CEO emphasized.

Furthermore, the Election Commission has appointed 31 counting observers to supervise the counting process for the two parliamentary constituencies.

“Candidates are allowed to appoint counting agents based on the number of counting tables, and their appointment letters should be submitted to the office of the Returning Officer or Assistant Returning Officer,” he added.