Tripura Tribal Council Records 22 Pc Voting In First Two Hours
9,62,547 electors are eligible to decide the fate of 173 candidates in Tripura.
Agartala : Around 22 per cent of the 9.62 lakh voters exercised their franchise in the first two hours of polling to the 28-member Tripura Tribal Areas Autonomous District Council (TTAADC) on Sunday, an official said. Voting started at 7 am at 1,257 booths in all eight districts of the northeastern state, as 9,62,547 electors are eligible to decide the fate of 173 candidates from different political parties in the elections. Polling will continue till 4 pm.
"Long queues were witnessed in front of polling booths since this morning. A total of 22 per cent turnout has been recorded in the first two hours of polling, which is underway peacefully amid tight security. There have been no reports of any untoward incident so far," officer-on-special duty of State Election Commission, Bipul Barman, told PTI.
Chief Minister Manik Saha urged the voters to exercise their democratic rights.
"I humbly appeal to all voters of TTAADC to exercise their democratic rights. Let us all come together to be part of a 'Viksit TTAADC' and shape a brighter, stronger future for our 'Janajati' (tribal) brothers and sisters," the CM wrote on Facebook.
Tight security arrangements are in place in the TTAADC area to ensure free, fair and peaceful elections, a security official said.
Apart from the heavy deployment of paramilitary forces, one IG and two DIGs -rank officers have been deputed to supervise the security measures, he said.
The electoral battle is expected to be multi-cornered, with the candidates from all the major political parties -- BJP, Tipra Motha Party (TMP), CPI(M) and Congress -- contesting the polls. TMP won the previous polls.
The tribal council comprises two-third of the state's total geographical area and is home to around 15 lakh people, mostly indigenous tribes.
