Agartala, Feb 17: Over 87 per cent turnout (excluding postal ballots) was recorded in Tripura assembly polls held amid tight security on Thursday.

The voting was ‘peaceful’ except a few stray incidents. There was no demand for re-poll in any part so far. There were strong security arrangements in every polling station.

According to the latest report, 24,66,511 among 28,14,584 enrolled electors had cast their votes—the turnout was 87.63 per cent. The figure didn’t include postal ballots.

The voting percentage was 81.1 per cent till 4 pm and the process had continued in many polling stations after 4 pm with around nine per cent voters in the queue. The turnout was recorded 32.12 per cent at 11 am, 51.42 per cent at 1 pm and 69.96 per cent at 3 pm. 

As the people came out in large numbers and participated in voting in a festive mood, large queues were seen in almost all the polling stations since the morning. In some places, the polling continued till 11 pm.

Tripura Chief Electoral Officer Kiran Gitte said, the state has kept its tradition of recording the highest voting percentage during this legislative assembly election as well.

He said, it was a cent percent violence-free polling and Tripura has presented an example to the people of the country on how peaceful conduct of polling is held.  

The CEO thanked the people for strengthening democracy.

The polled EVMs have been kept in strong rooms amidst tight security. The counting of votes will be held on March 2 next. A total of 259 candidates were in the fray in Tripura.

Speaking to the media on Thursday night, State Police Nodal Officer G.S. Rao said that there were six complaints regarding violence and six persons were arrested. He said that immediate action was taken wherever any incident was reported.

Meanwhile, the displaced Bru people now permanently rehabilitated in Tripura also exercised their democratic rights in a festive mood.

Here is the constituency wise voter turnout: