<span style="color: #222222;">In the union territory of Puducherry, special efforts are being made for the counting of votes on coming Sunday, in view of the sudden increase in the number of covid-19 cases. The Chief Election Officer surbir singh in a press note said that the Election department in coordination with the health department extended the facility for RT PCR testing for the willing contesting candidates or agents from the notified testing centre.</span><br />'' <span style="color: #222222;"> </span><br />'' <span style="color: #222222;">The sample would be collected by 28 April and the results will be available to the concerned person by 30th. So the willing candidates or the counting agents may give samples for testing accordingly. In order to maintain social distancing in the counting hall, the number of tables for counting in each hall is restricted to 5. To tackle any medical emergencies 1 dedicated medical team along with ambulance per counting centre would be made available. If any of the willing counting staffs contesting candidates or counting agents wishes to wear PPE kit, provision for the same have been made at the counting centre.</span><br />'' <span style="color: #222222;"> </span><br />'' <span style="color: #222222;">The CEO further added that all the counting centres in Puducherry, Karaikal, Mahe and Yanam would be sanitized one day prior to the counting and after the process of counting is completed and the bio – medical waste generated at the counting centres would be collected and disposed off thrice on the counting day. </span><br />''  <br />