AGARTALA, May 5 (TIWN): CEO Ashutosh Jindal addressed a press meet on Monday at Civil Secretariat, as per the new guidelines of Election Commission of India,it is mandated to use separate counting halls for each lok sabha parliament constituencies of the state. In 12 venues, total 36 counting halls will be used for counting votes including 2 halls for postal ballots.

 According to an official of state election department, Chief Electoral Officer Ashutosh Jindal has convened meetings of ROs and AROs on Monday to review the counting preparation. The counting centres include all the eight district headquarters. The EVMs have been kept at the strong rooms at the district headquarters, reports said.

Meanwhile, Election Commission  have directed to ensure all preparations for poll counting to be held on May 16 The office of the Chief Electoral Officer  has given directives regarding selection of counting venues and appointment of polling staff and counting agents, said the official.

It has been directed to ensure that no unauthorised person enters counting hall. Districts have been directed to make arrangements for counting agents and counting tables in counting centers. Directives have been given to place computer table near the table of RO for feeding round-wise results in the computer.