Agartala, September 28: The CPI(M) on Monday alleged irregularities during polling for the Village Committee elections under the Tripura Tribal Areas Autonomous District Council (TTAADC), claiming that polling agents of opposition candidates were obstructed at some polling stations and that reports of bogus voting had emerged from several areas.
Former TTAADC Chief Executive Member and senior CPI(M) leader Radhacharan Debbarma alleged that polling agents representing opposition candidates were prevented from entering polling stations in parts of West Tripura district, including Jirania and Mandai, as well as in some areas of Sepahijala district.
Debbarma also alleged that opposition candidates had faced difficulties during the nomination process and were denied the opportunity to submit their papers in certain constituencies. Similar allegations of obstruction during the nomination process had earlier been raised by the CPI(M)-led Left Front.
He further raised concerns over “chappa” or bogus voting, claiming that reports of such malpractice had surfaced from different polling stations during the early hours of voting.
The CPI(M) leader, however, said that polling in several other areas was proceeding without major disruption by around 10.30 am.
The allegations could not be independently verified immediately. No official confirmation or denial regarding the specific incidents cited by the CPI(M) was immediately available.
Polling for the long-awaited Village Committee elections began on Monday across the TTAADC areas, with voting being conducted through ballot papers. Elections are being held for 587 Village Committees covering 2,634 constituencies and 4,597 seats, with 9,61,977 voters eligible to exercise their franchise.
The elections are being held across 52 blocks and have taken place after a prolonged gap. The previous Village Committee elections were conducted in 2016, while the tenure of the elected committees ended in March 2021. The delay was attributed to the COVID-19 pandemic and subsequent legal complications.
The State Election Commission has made security arrangements across the polling areas to facilitate peaceful voting. Polling was scheduled from 7 am to 4 pm, with repolling, if required, to be held on October 3.
The counting of votes is scheduled for October 5, beginning at 8 am, with the entire election process expected to conclude by October 8.
The allegations have brought renewed attention to the conduct of polling, the access of candidates and agents to polling stations and the role of election officials in ensuring that voting proceeds according to the prescribed rules.
