Agartala, Sept 28: More than 80 per cent of voters are estimated to have exercised their franchise in the Village Committee elections under the Tripura Tribal Areas Autonomous District Council (TTAADC), with polling continuing beyond the scheduled closing time at several centres due to long queues.

State Election Commissioner P.K. Chakraborty said around 79 per cent polling had been recorded by 4 pm. Since voters were still waiting in queues at a number of polling stations at the scheduled end of polling, slips were issued to ensure that those who had reached the centres in time could cast their votes.

According to the State Election Commission, nearly 8,000 voters were issued slips after 4 pm and allowed to vote. The final turnout will be determined after polling concludes and all figures are compiled.

A total of 8,176 candidates contested the Village Committee elections.

Chakraborty said the polling process remained largely peaceful across the state, with no major law-and-order incident reported during the day.

An incident, however, was reported outside a police station near Ohainbari SB School under Matabari Block in Gomati district. Two persons were injured in the incident, one of them seriously. Both were taken to Gomati District Hospital in the presence of the District Election Officer and Superintendent of Police.

The State Election Commissioner further said that five complaints had been received in connection with the elections. The complaints concerned Srimangalpur and Panbua Village Committees, as well as areas in Teliamura, Kalyanpur and Paharpur.

According to Chakraborty, the complaints were related to political issues. Reports have been sought from the concerned District Election Officers and Returning Officers, and further action will be considered after the reports are examined.

Meanwhile, election materials and ballot boxes from polling stations have begun reaching designated receiving centres across the state.

Chakraborty said the complete picture of the election process would emerge after the authorised representatives submit the ballot boxes along with ballot paper accounts and other statutory and non-statutory documents.

The ballot boxes will then be deposited and secured in strongrooms under the prescribed security arrangements.

Meanwhile, The polling covered 2,950 seats in 587 Village Committees, with authorities taking additional measures to ensure that voters can exercise their franchise in a free, fair and peaceful atmosphere. 

According to the State Election Commission, 1,644 seats have already been filled uncontested, while no nominations were received for three seats. A total of 8,176 candidates were in the fray for the seats where polling held.

Around 6.65 lakh voters are eligible to cast their votes through 1,095 polling stations.