Polling teams deployed, 9.6 lakh voters to decide fate of 173 candidates in Tripura ADC polls

Agartala: The polling teams began their deployment early Saturday morning to prepare for Sunday’s elections, which will cover all 28 seats of the Tripura Tribal Areas Autonomous District Council (ADC).Voting will take place across 1,257 polling stations, spanning nearly three-quarters of the state’s area. Due to concerns over potential violence, the movement is being carried out under tight security arrangements.Anurag Sen, secretary of the Tripura State Election Commission, said approximately 10,000 polling staff and around 16,000 security personnel have been stationed at 16 key locations to ensure smooth proceedings. A total of 9.62 lakh voters, including 4.80 lakh women, are eligible to decide the political fate of 173 candidates representing various parties and independent contestants. Additionally, over 300 sector magistrates, comprising senior civil servants, and 28 poll observers have been appointed to oversee the process.Director general of police (DGP) Anurag shared that 311 polling stations have been categorised as highly sensitive, with another 693 marked as sensitive. To address potential threats at these locations, Central Armed Police Forces personnel will be deployed in sufficient numbers, supplemented by additional security measures aimed at thwarting subversive activities.The DGP assured voters that no unlawful actions would be tolerated under any circumstances during the elections and encouraged them to cast their votes without fear.Despite these assurances, security concerns persist in light of recent violent incidents involving clashes between BJP and Tipra Motha supporters in Dhalai, Khowai and West Tripura districts.