Preparation for counting of votes finalized: CEO

Surjit Kumar Dhal,Bhubaneswar, May 22: State’s Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) Surendra Kumar on Tuesday said that preparations have been finalized for the counting of votes from 8 am on Thursday (May 23) at 63 centres in the State.
Kumar said at a press conference each counting centre will have at least 7 tables each for the Assembly and Lok Sabha seats.
He further informed that a Counting Supervisor (Gazetted Officer), a Counting Assistant and a Micro Observer (Central Government employee or Central PSU employee) will be appointed for each counting centre in a bid to ensure free and fair counting.
“Around 6,700 persons have been deployed for the counting across the State. There are 15 tables in one hall. We have assessed that minimum 19 rounds will be at Sambalpur Assembly Constituency while maximum 49 rounds will be at Patnagarh Assembly Constituency,” the CEO informed.
He said the counting of the postal ballots will be taken up first.
“This time there are 43,357 service voters sent by means of ETPV,” he said.