The Tripura Tribal Areas Autonomous District Council (TTAADC) polls recorded over 83.52 percent of voters’ turnout, according to the last report available with the State Election Commission
While the major political parties claimed the polling was by and large peaceful, several incidents of clashes, intimidation and vandalism were reported. Besides, security lapses were visible in some places despite claims of deployment of 24 companies of CAPF. In some polling stations, polling agents had faced obstructions.
Tension prevailed at Sabroom after Tipra Motha workers launched an attack on the vehicle which was supposed to transport sealed EVMs used for polling in two constituencies of South Tripura prompting the police to open lathi charge.
The situation turned volatile outside the Sub-Divisional Magistrate’s office, where angry supporters of Tipra Motha party resorted to stone-pelting targeting the vehicle which had been assigned for transporting the EVMs carrying the mandate of the voters.
The driver of the vehicle was thrashed by aggrieved Tipra Motha workers prompting the police to intervene.The Tipra Motha supporters alleged that outsiders had been allowed to enter the vehicle which was a gross violation of the election norms.Police intervened and carried out a lathi-charge to bring the situation under control and disperse the crowd. Several people were injured in the incident.Tipra Motha supporter Sanjib Tripura (28), who sustained severe injuries, referred for advance treatment.
The injured police personnel include ASI Debabrata Shil (49), police personnel Pranab Chakraborty (39) and Tuton Debnath (37). An ASI, Debabrata Shil (49) and two police personnel, Pranab Chakraborty (39) and Tuton Debnath (37) were injured, along with several supporters during the incident. Later, senior district officials rushed to the spot. As the situation remains tense, security has been tightened across the area.Earlier, in Techama area under 28-Manubankul, former MLA Prabhat Chowdhury and his PSO suffered injuries due to a road accident.
Meanwhile, a total of 9,62,697 voters, predominantly from Janajati communities, including 4,80,666 women, were eligible to vote across 28 constituencies in eight districts. They (83 percent) decided the fate of 173 candidates, including eight women.
The electoral contest featured three national parties -- the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), the opposition Communist Party of India (Marxist)-led Left Front, and the Congress -- along with two prominent regional parties, the Tipra Motha Party (TMP) and the Indigenous People’s Front of Tripura (IPFT). Several smaller parties and independent candidates are also in the fray.
According to SEC officials, the BJP, TMP, and the Left Front fielded candidates in all 28 constituencies. The Congress contested in 27 seats, while the IPFT fielded candidates in 24. In addition, 38 independent candidates and nominees from smaller parties are also fought the elections.
Director General of Police Anurag earlier said that more than 13,500 Central and state security personnel were deployed across the 28 constituencies.
He added that the Central government had provided 24 companies of Central Armed Police Forces (CAPF), comprising around 1,500 personnel. In addition, around 12,000 personnel from the Tripura State Rifles (TSR) and the state police were deployed to maintain law and order.