Tripura’s Left Front has urged Chief Minister Manik Saha to ensure free, fair and peaceful elections to 20 urban local bodies, demanding central security forces, sensitive-zone protection and preventive measures against alleged intimidation during nominations and polling.
A delegation representing six Left-supported political organisations has met Tripura Chief Minister Dr. Manik Saha and submitted a memorandum seeking measures to ensure free, fair and peaceful elections to 20 urban local bodies across the state, including the Agartala Municipal Corporation.
The delegation urged the state government and administration to take preventive steps to ensure that all political parties and candidates can participate in the electoral process without fear, intimidation or obstruction.
Following the meeting, Left Front state convener Manik Dey addressed a press conference at the Left Front state headquarters in Melarmath, Agartala. He highlighted the concerns raised in the memorandum and stressed the need for adequate security arrangements throughout the election process.
In its memorandum, the delegation alleged that opposition candidates had faced obstruction during previous electoral processes, particularly while filing nomination papers. It claimed that miscreants had taken control of Returning Officers’ offices and prevented candidates representing opposition parties from submitting their nominations.
The memorandum also alleged that opposition polling agents had been threatened, prevented from reaching polling stations and forcibly removed from polling booths on election day. The Left-supported organisations called on the state government to take appropriate measures to prevent a recurrence of such incidents during the upcoming urban local body elections.
One of the key demands was the deployment of Central Armed Police Forces (CAPF) at all polling stations on election day. The delegation also sought extensive route marches by security forces in sensitive areas for seven days to strengthen public confidence and reassure candidates and voters about their safety.
The memorandum further demanded that the municipal and Nagar Panchayat areas of Jirania, Ranirbazar, Mohanpur, Santirbazar, Bishalgarh and Bishramganj be declared “most sensitive zones”.
According to the delegation, these areas should receive adequate security under the supervision of central forces to ensure that opposition candidates can file their nomination papers without fear or interference.
The Left-supported organisations maintained that ensuring a secure environment for candidates, preventing intimidation and maintaining law and order would be essential for conducting the elections in a democratic and peaceful manner.
The delegation’s demands also focused on the importance of protecting the nomination process, safeguarding polling agents and ensuring that voters can exercise their franchise without undue pressure.
The Agartala Municipal Corporation is among the 20 urban local bodies covered by the delegation’s appeal. The memorandum seeks preventive security arrangements across the relevant municipal and Nagar Panchayat areas rather than measures limited to polling day alone.
The concerns raised by the Left Front relate to the security of candidates during nomination filing, the deployment of forces at polling stations and the maintenance of order in areas identified by the delegation as particularly sensitive.
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The memorandum was submitted to Chief Minister Manik Saha for consideration by the state government. The delegation called for coordinated action by the administration and security agencies to ensure that the electoral process remains accessible to all eligible candidates and political parties.
No response from the state government regarding the specific demands was included in the information provided about the meeting.
The upcoming urban local body elections are expected to draw attention to election security, candidate participation and the arrangements required to maintain a peaceful atmosphere throughout the electoral process.
