Tripura: Three-tier panchayat polls scheduled for August 8, CAPF deployment announced
Agartala: The election for Tripura's three-tier Panchayat will be held on August 8 across 2,650 polling stations.
Tripura State Election Commissioner (SEC) Saradindu Chowdhury announced that the current tenure of the three-tier Panchayat ends on August 4, and steps have been taken to ensure the election is conducted smoothly.
Chowdhury detailed that the state has 6,370 seats within 3,517 constituencies of 606 Gram Panchayats, 35 Panchayat Samities with 423 constituencies and seats, and 116 constituencies and seats under 8 Zila Parishads.
The final electoral roll has been published, listing a total of 12,94,153 voters, including 6,58,445 males, 6,35,597 females, and 11 others.
Key dates for the election process are as follows:
- Notification issuance: July 11
- Last date for nominations: July 18
- Scrutiny of nominations: July 19
- Withdrawal of candidature: July 22
- Election date: August 8
- Counting of votes: August 12
- Completion of the election process: August 17
For voter identification, the Election Commission of India (ECI) guidelines will be followed, utilizing the Electors Photo Identity Card (EPIC). Nomination papers will be accepted by Returning Officers between 11:00 AM and 3:00 PM.
Two types of ballot boxes, including Godrej or Bungo type, will be used. Ballot papers will be colour-coded: white for GP seats, pink for PS seats, and green for ZP seats. Counting halls will be established at Block Headquarters.
The SEC emphasized meetings with District Election Officers (DEOs) and Returning Officers (ROs) to ensure a free, fair, and peaceful election.
ROs and DEOs have engaged with representatives of recognized national and state political parties during the preparation of Electoral Rolls and the finalization of Polling Stations.
Another meeting with political parties will be held soon to discuss election conduct details.
In terms of security, proper arrangements and preventive measures are being implemented to ensure a conducive environment for a fair election.
The Commission has reviewed law and order and security arrangements with the Police Administration. IG of Tripura Police, L Darlong, assured that 18 companies of the Central Armed Police Forces (CAPF) and the Tripura State Rifles will be deployed to maintain order during the election.