**Agartala, September 22:** Advance voting for personnel engaged in the ADC Village Committee elections began in Mandai RD Block on Monday, ahead of the September 28 polling. Election-duty personnel, including security forces and polling staff, participated in the special voting process held from 10 am to 4 pm. A second session is scheduled for Tuesday.
According to the Mandai Block BDO and Returning Officer, a total of 53 ballots were arranged for personnel involved in election duties. Of these, 40 were meant for police and TSR personnel, while 13 were allotted to polling officials and other staff.
The voting exercise witnessed steady participation, with around 20 voters reportedly waiting outside the polling station by noon. Officials said the process was conducted peacefully and without disruption.
The polling centre also stood out for being managed entirely by women officials and staff. The authorities described the arrangement as a fully women-operated polling station and said the voting proceeded smoothly with cooperation from all stakeholders.
The Returning Officer also provided an update on the electoral contest in Mandai. A total of 332 nomination papers were submitted, of which two were rejected during scrutiny. This left 330 valid nominations. Of these, 141 candidates have been declared elected unopposed, while 125 candidates remain in the electoral contest.
Polling on September 28 will be conducted at 27 polling stations in Mandai RD Block for 57 seats. The contest features candidates from the BJP, CPI(M), Tipra Motha and IPFT, besides independents. The party-wise figures are eight BJP candidates, 40 CPI(M) candidates, 55 Tipra Motha candidates, one IPFT candidate and 21 independents.
Officials said arrangements for both the advance voting sessions and the September 28 polling have been completed. Monday’s voting remained peaceful, with authorities expecting the Tuesday session and the final polling day to proceed in a similar manner.
