Tripura Left Front seeks Central forces for TTAADC Village Committee polls, alleging threats to candidates, political violence, nomination obstruction and concerns over free, fair and peaceful elections.
The Left Front in Tripura has urged the State Election Commission (SEC) to deploy Central Armed Police Forces (CAPF) across all constituencies of the Tripura Tribal Areas Autonomous District Council (TTAADC) ahead of the upcoming Village Committee elections, alleging that the existing political environment does not ensure free, fair and peaceful polling.
The demand was raised at a press conference held on Saturday at the CPI(M) State Office at Melarmath, where senior leaders representing the CPI(M), CPI, Revolutionary Socialist Party (RSP), Forward Bloc and CPI(ML) Liberation highlighted what they described as serious concerns over the security of candidates, polling agents and voters.
Former Tripura Minister and Left Front convener Manik Dey said Left candidates were facing threats and obstruction during the nomination process. He warned that the possibility of electoral violence could not be ruled out if adequate security arrangements were not put in place before polling.
The Left Front has submitted a memorandum to the State Election Commission, outlining several allegations regarding political violence and intimidation involving CPI(M) and other Left workers. According to the memorandum, incidents of violence targeting opposition workers have increased in different parts of the state, while adequate legal action against those allegedly responsible has not been taken.
The Left alliance specifically referred to incidents in Hezamara, Lefunga, Belbari and Jirania blocks. It alleged that suspected miscreants prevented Left candidates from entering block offices to submit their nomination papers. The Opposition claimed that candidates in Hezamara had to be rescued by police from inside the block office following an alleged obstruction.
The Left Front demanded that adequate security be provided at every block office during the nomination process so that candidates from all political parties can submit their papers without intimidation or obstruction. It also stressed that candidates should be able to return safely after completing the nomination process.
Another major concern raised by the Left Front relates to possible clashes between supporters of the BJP and Tipra Motha Party (TMP). Although the two parties are allies in the state government, the Left Front alleged that tensions between their supporters have resulted in law-and-order challenges in some areas. The Opposition claimed that such confrontations have, at times, proved difficult for the police to control.
The alliance also raised concerns over the security of Opposition polling agents. It alleged that during previous elections, Opposition agents were prevented from entering polling stations or were forcibly removed from booths. The Left Front has therefore demanded police protection for polling agents while travelling to and from polling stations on election day.
Among its key demands, the Left Front has asked the State Election Commission to classify all polling stations in the TTAADC areas as “very sensitive”. It has also called for the deployment of Central forces at least one week before polling to strengthen security arrangements and build confidence among candidates and voters.
The Opposition alliance further demanded restrictions on the entry of outsiders into ADC areas after the conclusion of the campaign period. It proposed identity verification at polling station entry points and sought continuous webcasting and camera surveillance at every polling station to improve transparency and prevent alleged electoral malpractice.
The Left Front also urged the Commission to ensure a level playing field for all political parties during the campaign. It demanded that Opposition parties be allowed to organise meetings, rallies and other campaign programmes without intimidation or obstruction.
Dey described the Village Committee elections as particularly important because the committees function as grassroots institutions within the TTAADC areas. He alleged that Tripura had witnessed incidents of “vote loot”, bogus voting and attempts to prevent genuine voters from exercising their franchise.
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According to Dey, the deployment of Central forces would help strengthen the credibility of the electoral process and reassure both candidates and voters that adequate security would be available throughout the election.
The Left Front also appealed to people across Tripura to maintain peace and communal harmony during the elections. Dey urged members of both tribal and Bengali communities to remain united and avoid actions that could disturb the peaceful conduct of polling.
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The demand for Central force deployment comes as political parties prepare for the Village Committee elections, with security arrangements expected to remain a key issue during the electoral process. The Left Front has maintained that effective security measures, strict monitoring and equal opportunities for all contestants are essential to ensure that voters can exercise their democratic rights without fear or pressure.
