High voter turnout in crucial TTAADC polls amid tight security in Tripura

The crucial elections to the Tripura Tribal Areas Autonomous District Council (TTAADC) are underway across all eight districts of the state, with over 65 per cent of the 9,62,697 voters casting their votes till noon to decide the fate of 173 candidates.

The 30-member TTAADC, comprising 28 elected representatives and two members nominated by the state government, administers nearly 70 per cent of Tripura’s 10,491 sq km geographical area, making it a strategically significant constitutional body after the state Assembly.

According to officials of the State Election Commission (SEC), polling has remained largely peaceful so far, with no major incidents reported from any part of the state.

Even before polling began at 7 AM, tribal men and women dressed in traditional attire turned out in large numbers, forming queues at most of the 1,257 polling stations. Voting will continue uninterrupted until 4 PM, primarily in tribal-inhabited areas.

The elections follow a month-long high-voltage campaign marked by intense political activity and sporadic clashes among party workers. A total of 9,62,697 voters, including 4,80,666 women, are eligible to vote in 28 constituencies spread across eight districts.

The contest features three national parties — the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), the Communist Party of India (Marxist)-led Left Front, and the Congress — along with two key regional parties, the Tipra Motha Party (TMP) and the Indigenous People’s Front of Tripura (IPFT). Several smaller parties and 38 Independent candidates are also in the fray.

While the BJP, TMP, and the Left Front have fielded candidates in all 28 seats, the Congress is contesting in 27 seats and the IPFT in 24. Notably, the BJP’s tribal allies — TMP and IPFT — are contesting separately after failing to reach an electoral understanding.

The campaign period witnessed several clashes, particularly between BJP and TMP supporters, leaving more than 50 leaders and workers injured across districts. Despite the tensions, all major parties have expressed confidence in securing victory.

To ensure peaceful polling, elaborate security arrangements have been put in place. Director General of Police Anurag said that over 13,500 Central and state security personnel have been deployed across the 28 constituencies.

He added that 24 companies of Central Armed Police Forces (CAPF), comprising around 1,500 personnel, were provided by the Centre at the last moment. Additionally, nearly 12,000 personnel from the Tripura State Rifles (TSR) and state police are maintaining law and order.

Out of the 1,257 polling stations, 311 have been categorised as highly critical, 693 as vulnerable, and 253 as normal. Authorities have urged voters to exercise their franchise without fear and cooperate in maintaining peace.

Since 2021, the Tipra Motha Party (TMP), an ally of the BJP, has been governing the council. The TTAADC, constituted under the Sixth Schedule of the Constitution in June 1985, plays a key role in the socio-economic development of tribal communities, who make up nearly one-third of Tripura’s 4.2 million population. The results of the elections will be announced on April 17.