Agartala, September 27: The Tripura State Election Commission has put in place elaborate administrative and security arrangements for Monday’s Village Committee elections under the Tripura Tribal Areas Autonomous District Council (TTAADC), with an appeal to voters to participate in the polling without fear.
The SEC said all necessary measures have been completed to ensure free, peaceful and transparent elections across the tribal council areas.
Polling will be held for 2,950 seats in 587 Village Committees, while 1,644 seats have been won uncontested and no nominations were filed for three seats, according to the commission.
A total of 8,176 candidates from different political parties are in the fray for the contested seats.
Around 6.65 lakh voters are eligible to exercise their franchise in the elections. Voting will take place at 1,095 polling stations out of 1,550 identified stations.
Four colours of ballot papers — white, light pink, light green and light blue — will be used depending on the category of seats, the SEC said.
Security arrangements have been strengthened across the state, with 74 companies of Central Armed Police Forces deployed for the elections.
In addition, 8,977 personnel from the state police and Tripura State Rifles have been deployed in designated areas. Around 1,500 security officers have also been assigned responsibilities to monitor the overall law-and-order situation, the commission said.
Special security measures have been taken at polling stations located in sensitive areas, where Central Armed Police Force personnel have been deployed.
For smooth management of polling, around 7,458 polling personnel have been organised into 1,243 teams. The polling teams began moving towards their respective stations on Sunday, with most teams having already reached their assigned locations.
After polling concludes on Monday, the teams will return to the respective Returning Officer offices along with the ballot boxes, the SEC said.
The commission said all polling personnel have undergone training and have been briefed on the Standard Operating Procedure to ensure that they can conduct the polling process smoothly and in accordance with prescribed procedures.
Counting centres have also been identified across the state, while the process of appointing counting supervisors and assistants is underway.
The SEC said counting personnel will be provided the necessary training within the stipulated schedule ahead of the counting of votes.
The commission appealed to voters to exercise their franchise peacefully and without fear and urged all stakeholders to cooperate in maintaining a calm atmosphere during the polling process.
