Agartala, Nov 6 : The Tripura State Election Commission has deployed 33 election observers across the state to monitor the upcoming urban local body elections, ensuring supervision of the entire electoral process from scrutiny of nomination papers to counting of votes, State Election Commissioner Pradeep Kumar Chakraborty said on Friday.
The observers were briefed at a meeting held at the State Guest House before being dispatched to their respective jurisdictions. They were instructed about their responsibilities, reporting procedures and the various stages of the election process, he said.
Chakraborty said the observers would remain present during the scrutiny of nomination papers and subsequently monitor field-level developments, interact with Returning Officers, visit polling stations and submit reports to the Commission at different stages.
Their reports would cover nomination scrutiny, withdrawal of candidature, polling, counting and any significant developments requiring the Commission's attention, he said.
Describing their role as crucial to ensuring transparency, the SEC said the observers would function as the Commission's eyes and ears on the ground.
They would independently monitor proceedings, document violations of electoral norms and report incidents of violence or irregularities. However, they would not have the authority to issue directions to Returning Officers and must maintain political neutrality, he said.
The observers would continue their duties until the completion of counting. Their reports could also be considered while deciding whether repolling was necessary in any area, Chakraborty added.
Addressing allegations concerning the use of Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs), he said the conduct of elections through the machines was in accordance with existing legal provisions and electoral rules.
He pointed out that this was the third occasion on which EVMs were being used for municipal elections in the state and maintained that the Commission had followed the prescribed procedures.
Rejecting opposition allegations that candidates were prevented from filing nominations in areas such as Mohanpur, Chakraborty said the Commission had received complaints both verbally and in writing but information obtained from electoral authorities did not substantiate the claims.
He said he had been in regular contact with Returning Officers and District Municipal Election Officers over the past several days, but none had reported any incident of candidates being obstructed during nomination filing.
Elaborate security arrangements had been made around Returning Officers' offices and along routes leading to nomination centres to ensure candidates from all political parties could submit their papers without difficulty, he said.
The SEC also said law enforcement agencies had not reported receiving any formal complaint alleging assault or obstruction of candidates.
He reiterated that the Commission was committed to providing equal opportunities to all political parties and ensuring free, fair and peaceful elections.
