AGARTALA, May 9 (TIWN): To ensure free and fair counting of polled EVMs, the Election Commission has decided to send as many as 14 Counting Observers for Tripura, official sources confirmed here today.

The Counting Observers are expected to arrive here well before the counting process scheduled to be held on May 16 next.

Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) Ashutosh Jindal has already held meeting with Returning Officers and Asst Returning Officers (AROs) to draw up a comprehensive plan for counting to the Lok Sabha elections.

Today, the Election Commission reached out to the ROs and AROs of the state through video conference and instructed on how to take up the counting process.

This time, counting will take place in all the subdivisional headquarters amid tight security. Counting of eight constituencies under Sadar subdivision will be conducted in two counting centres- UK Academy and Umakanta English Medium School.

The election department has already conducted special training on counting process for Micro Observers and allied staff at Matangini Pritilata Auditorium.

Here it may be noted the election to West Tripura Lok Sabha constituency was held on April 7 and voting for East Tripura Lok Sabha seat was done on April 12. An average 82 percent polling was recorded in the state, which is highest turnout in the country till the date.