Polling for the long-awaited Village Committee elections in Tripura's tribal areas witnessed an enthusiastic response on Monday, with around 80 per cent voter turnout recorded till 4 PM and polling continued beyond 4 PM at several polling stations on Monday, with nearly 8,000 voters issued slips to enable them to cast their votes despite the scheduled polling time having ended.

 While the election process remained largely peaceful despite an isolated incident in which a Tipra Motha Party (TMP) candidate was shot at in Gomati district.

The elections, being held after nearly a decade following directions of the Supreme Court, are considered crucial for grassroots governance in the Tripura Tribal Areas Autonomous District Council (TTAADC).

Tribal men and women, many dressed in traditional attire, queued up outside polling stations well before voting began in the morning and continued to participate in large numbers throughout the day. More than 25 per cent polling had already been recorded by 10 AM., reflecting strong voter enthusiasm.

According to Tripura State Election Commission (SEC) Secretary Anurag Sen, voting was conducted at 1,095 polling stations spread across the tribal areas under tight security arrangements.

"Long queues were witnessed in front of polling booths. Around 80 per cent voting was recorded till 4 PM.," Sen said.

Polling was underway for 2,950 seats in 587 Village Committees, while 1,644 seats had already been won uncontested by candidates of the Tipra Motha Party and the BJP. Nominations were not filed for three seats.

A total of 8,176 candidates representing the TMP, BJP, CPI (M), Congress and the Indigenous People's Front of Tripura (IPFT) are contesting the elections.

The ruling BJP, in alliance with its tribal partners — the Tipra Motha Party and the IPFT — is facing the CPI(M)-led Left Front and the Congress.

Although the election process remained peaceful across most areas, an incident of violence was reported from Warengbari in Gomati district, where a TMP candidate was allegedly shot by unidentified miscreants. Two other persons were also injured in the incident.

State Police spokesperson Rajdeep Deb said polling was peaceful elsewhere and additional details regarding the attack were awaited.

To ensure smooth conduct of the elections, the administration deployed more than 15,000 security personnel, including around 74 companies of the Central Armed Police Forces (CAPF) and personnel from the Tripura State Rifles (TSR) and Tripura Police. Nearly 7,458 polling personnel, divided into 1,243 teams, managed election-related activities.

Four different colours of ballot papers — white, light pink, light green and light blue — were used for various categories of seats.

Chief Minister Prof. Dr Manik Saha congratulated voters for participating enthusiastically in the democratic process.

"Voting for Village Committees passed off peacefully amid tight security. Long queues of enthusiastic electors were seen in front of polling booths as they exercised their democratic right to choose their representatives," he said.

Leader of Opposition Jitendra Chaudhury also welcomed the largely peaceful polling.

"After a long wait, the election is taking place in the tribal council areas. The voting has been largely peaceful. The strong turnout of voters signals that the CPI(M) will certainly perform better this time," he said.

The Village Committee elections are being held across the Tripura Tribal Areas Autonomous District Council (TTAADC), which came into existence on April 1, 1985, under the Sixth Schedule of the Constitution. The autonomous council covers nearly two-thirds of Tripura's geographical area and is home to a predominantly indigenous population. Counting of votes is scheduled to be held on October 5.