Poll related violence is one of the major concerns and challenges for smooth conduct of elections. Article 324 of the Constitution of India has mandated the Election Commission of India (ECI) for superintendence, direction and control of elections. 

Official sources said that for conduct of free, fair and peaceful elections, the ECI will take all necessary measures.

The Chief Electoral officer (CEO), Tripura Kiran Gitte through a press statement said that even though the assembly elections in Tripura are held in festive mood, it is often marred by occasional poll violence. Strict action has been taken by the Police department to create deterrence for repetition of any kind of poll violence.

Moreover, Election Department, Tripura has planned to raise mass awareness among the political parties, workers and voters to focus on the political aspect of the Elections and to shun the violence. It is proposed to work in mission mode to conduct coming assembly elections of the state with an aim of “ZERO POLL VIOLENCE”. Said Gitte.

He added that every stakeholder shall endeavor to come out with all-out efforts to make the mission a reality and for this purpose, administrative and awareness steps are proposed to be taken over the next two months like sensitization workshops shall be held in all 60 assembly constituencies involving political parties, workers and eminent citizens highlighting the negative effects of violence on the persons, families, society and overall image of the state.

The Election department said that the flag march, road march by the CAPF shall start in advance to ensure confidence building among the political workers for campaigning and among the citizens to cast their votes freely without any fear. The security forces shall be deployed well before the poll process so that they get familiar with the locality. Local police should extend necessary cooperation to the CAPF.

The State police shall ensure all miscreants, trouble mongers, history sheeters are either kept in constant watch or bound under relevant sections of Cr Pc and  setting up adequate Naka points to monitor the illegal movement of arms, persons to vitiate the poll process.

The Election department has also suggested  to use of deterrent measures like web-casting of poll process, videography outside the polling stations to keep miscreants at bay shall be ensured. Deployment of adequate security coverage by CAPF personnel, smooth management of queues etc. so that there is no gathering outside the polling stations.

The Micro level strategy to face the challenge of poll related violence  and every police station shall make their own strategy depending upon their respective ground level inputs to ensure 100% violence free election. The Election department hoped that with these  concerted efforts by the Election officials, state police, Central Armed Para-Military Forces and enforcement agencies, it would be possible to achieve the objectives of “Mission Zero Poll Violence.”