Jirania (West Tripura), April 11:
In a decisive build-up to the crucial Tripura Tribal Areas Autonomous District Council (TTAADC) elections, polling officials on Saturday began their movement to designated polling stations carrying Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) and other essential election materials under heavy security escort.
From distribution centres in Jirania in West Tripura district, presiding officers and polling personnel were seen departing in phased convoys, equipped with control units, ballot units, and statutory documents.
The movement is being closely supervised by election authorities to ensure timely and secure deployment, particularly in remote and sensitive locations.
Security has been placed at the core of the election management strategy. Personnel from state police and paramilitary forces are escorting polling teams to their respective booths.
In total, 24 companies of Central Armed Police Forces (CAPF), comprising around 1,500 personnel, have been deployed. This includes 12 companies of the Border Security Force (BSF), 10 of the Sashastra Seema Bal (SSB), and two companies of the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF).
Additionally, nearly 12,000 personnel from the Tripura State Rifles (TSR) and state police have been mobilised to maintain law and order.
Out of the 1,257 polling stations across the TTAADC region, authorities have classified 311 as highly critical, 693 as vulnerable, and 253 as normal, prompting multi-layered security arrangements, particularly in sensitive pockets.
The election to the 28-member TTAADC, scheduled for April 12, is set to witness a multi-cornered contest with a total of 173 candidates in the fray.
The BJP, TMP, and the Left Front have fielded candidates in all 28 seats, while the Congress is contesting 27 seats and the IPFT 24.
Adding to the competitive landscape are 38 Independent candidates and nominees from smaller parties.
Significantly, the BJP’s two key tribal-based allies — TMP and IPFT — are contesting separately after failing to reach a pre-poll alliance, setting the stage for a fragmented electoral battle in the tribal council.
The TTAADC, which covers nearly two-thirds of Tripura’s geographical area, is home to a predominantly tribal population constituting about one-third of the state’s total population. A total of 9,62,697 voters, including 4,80,666 women, are eligible to exercise their franchise in the elections.
With polling parties now reaching their destinations under tight vigil, authorities expressed confidence in conducting free, fair, and peaceful elections. The counting of votes is scheduled for April 17.
