Tripura goes for poll amidst tight security

Election to the 60-member Assembly in Tripura, in which the Left Front is hoping to script history by returning to power for a record eighth time amidst the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) propelled by the Congress in front row to draw a fresh political line in the state, began at 7 am today peacefully. The polling began amidst adequate enforcement of police and paramilitary forces in and around the state and especially in the vulnerable pockets of the state.

Tripura is the first of three states in the Northeastern region of the country which goes for poll today using first of its kind VVPAT machines apart from EVMs. Besides, in yet another first of its kind in the state poll, women driven polling stations are set up in an aim to bring in more participation of women of this state.

Voters were seen queuing up long before voting began. In interior areas, tribal people, mainly women dressed in their traditional and colourful best were seen standing in line.

A total of 25,69,216 electorates, of whom 13,03,420 are males and 12,65,785 women while the number of third gender voters is 11 are all set to decide the fate of a total of 297 candidates in this poll which perhaps has come up crucial for the 25 years rule of Left bastion as the BJP has recently gained ground to draw a new political line and end the Left rule.

The CPI (M) is contesting in 57 seats and while the other Left Front constituents, the RSP, Forward Bloc and CPI, in one seat each. The BJP, which has forged an alliance with tribal outfit Indigenous Peoples Front of Tripura (IPFT) has fielded 51 candidates. IPFT will contest in the remaining nine seats.

The Congress is going it alone in Tripura this time and will contest in 59 seats.

As per the guidelines of the Election Commission of India (ECI), the poll shall continue till 4 pm today and the counting is slated to be held on March 3.

However, according to the police source, adequate securities are put in place to restrict any kind of untoward incidents during the poll. The Border Security Force (BSF) is also keeping strict vigilance across the bordering areas of the state.