Poll officials get ready for ‘violence-free’ Tripura election

AGARTALA: Polling parties left for the booths amid high security to conduct elections in 3,328 polling stations across 60 assembly constituencies, chief electoral officer Kiran Gitte said on Wednesday. There will be tight vigil both inside and outside the booths, while TSR and police patrol have been intensified in all the localities to ensure the safe arrival of voters.

The ruling BJP is contesting 55 seats while its ally, IPFT, is contesting the remaining five. TIPRA Motha is going solo to contest 42 of the 60 constituencies, including 20 tribal-dominated seats, which hold the key to the formation of the next government. Meanwhile, CPM is contesting 43 seats and its Left Front partners Forward Block, RSP and CPI one each.

Congress will contest 13 seats, TMC 28, while there are also 58 Independent candidates. Tripura is facing a three-cornered election this time, with the Left-Congress combine re-emerging in the state and newcomer Motha gaining widespread support in tribal areas.