Agartala, September 21: The West Tripura district administration has imposed a series of restrictions ahead of the September 28 Village Committee elections to the Tripura Tribal Areas Autonomous District Council (TTAADC), with the orders coming into effect from 4 pm on September 26.
District Magistrate Dr Vishal Kumar, IAS, issued the prohibitory orders under Section 163 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023. The restrictions will remain effective until 6 am on September 29.
The measures have been introduced to prevent unlawful gatherings, maintain public order and check activities such as the distribution of cash, liquor and gifts during the election period.
Under the order, gatherings involving five or more persons will not be permitted, irrespective of whether those assembled are carrying weapons. The administration has also prohibited the possession or carrying of objects such as sticks, rods, bamboo and stones when they could be used as weapons.
Public meetings, rallies, processions and election-related speeches will also remain prohibited during the specified period. The use of loudspeakers for campaigning or public gatherings has been restricted as well.
Additional restrictions will apply within 200 metres of polling stations to prevent crowding and maintain orderly movement around voting premises.
The administration has also prohibited convoys involving two or more motorcycles or vehicles when they move together in a manner that could amount to an unlawful assembly.
The restrictions, however, do not apply uniformly to all activities. Voters carrying valid identification documents, election officials, CAPF and police personnel on duty, government employees performing official duties, accredited media representatives and authorised election vehicles have been exempted.
Voters will be allowed to use their personal vehicles to travel to polling stations, provided they are accompanied only by family members. The administration has clarified that private vehicles cannot be used to transport other voters.
Normal activities, including functioning of government and private offices, schools, markets, religious programmes, weddings and social events, will continue subject to compliance with the prescribed conditions.
Approved candidate motorcades and authorised election vehicles will also be permitted. The administration said essential facilities, including drinking water and wheelchairs for specially-abled voters, would remain available at polling stations.
Polling in West Tripura is scheduled for September 28 from 7 am to 5 pm.
The district administration warned that anyone violating the prohibitory order could face legal action under Section 223 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023.
Officials said the restrictions have been put in place to facilitate the conduct of peaceful and orderly polling while allowing routine public and essential activities to continue.
