In Tripura, campaigning for assembly polls will conclude today at 4 pm as the state readies for elections on February 16, Thursday. Election Commission is taking all necessary measures for conducting peaceful polling, said CEO Kiran Gitte.
The Indo- Bangladesh border and inter state borders have been sealed in the wake of polls. Additional companies of security forces have been deployed across the state to maintain law and order situation.
Gitte on Monday said there was a drastic reduction in the crimes related to polls as a result of the ECI’s Zero Violence policy.. He said, “about 309 incidents were reported in the 2018 assembly elections but his time, 100 incidents were reported till February 11. This is the indication that the law and order is much under control this election. We want to ensure zero violence,” he told reporters.
Gitte said there were some incidents of bombs recoveries and pre-poll violences but the situation was under control. He said, more than 400 companies of Central Armed Paramilitary Forces (CAPFs) are already in the state for the assembly elections scheduled on February 16 next. He said, along with the 400 companies of central forces, over 20,000 TSR and Police personnel are also there in the state.
There are also 56,000 polling personnel, security personnel, drivers, co-drivers and other staff appointed for the election works applied for postal ballot voting and more than 95 percent of them cast their votes, as per the preliminary report.
A total of 259 candidates including 22 female candidates are in the fray. The ruling BJP has fielded candidates in highest 55 seats while rest have been given to IPFT. CPIM is contesting in 43 seats while it’s new ally Congress will vie in 13 seats . Regional party TIPRA Motha has given candidates in 42 constituencies while TMC is fighting in 28 seats.
In 2018, the BJP won 36 seats and it’s ally IPFT in 8 while CPIM got 16 seats. Development, better infrastructure, social security, women empowerment, revival of old pension scheme are some of the major issues that dominated the election campaign.
