Tirupati: A fire broke out at one of the counting centers in the town on Monday night creating a panic situation in the surroundings. As per the details, the incident was reported from an engineering college on the premises of the Sri Venkateswara University (SVU) at the outskirts of Tirupati.

The officials had made arrangements by setting up tables and other equipment in the area for counting of votes on May 23. The Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) were also stored in a strong room in a nearby building which triggered panic among the officials. However, the fire engines were called and the fire was brought under control.

The officials informed that the fire did not spread to strong room and the EVMs were safe. District Collector PS Pradyumna and Superintendent of Police Vikrant Patil visited the counting center to review the situation. The cause of the fire is believed to be a short circuit.

Andhra Pradesh Assembly and Lok Sabha elections were held on April 11 and the votes are scheduled to be counted on May 23. This is the first assembly elections in Andhra Pradesh post the state bifurcation in 2014. Over 3 crore voters voted for 175 Assembly seats in the state and a political party requires 88 seats to form the government.

Elections were also held for the 25 Lok Sabha seats in the state.

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