Agartala, September 22: With polling for the ADC Village Committee elections set for September 28, Mandai RD Block on Monday conducted the first round of advance voting for personnel assigned to election duties.
The voting was held from 10 am to 4 pm, allowing police, TSR personnel, polling officials and other staff deployed for the election to exercise their franchise before the main polling day. A second session has been scheduled for Tuesday.
Mandai Block BDO and Returning Officer said 53 ballots had been arranged for election personnel. Police and TSR personnel accounted for 40 ballots, while 13 were allotted to polling officials and other staff.
The advance voting passed off peacefully, with around 20 voters reportedly waiting at the polling centre at noon. Officials said necessary arrangements were made to ensure an orderly voting process.
Another feature of Monday’s polling was the exclusive deployment of women officials and staff at the centre. The entire polling station was operated by women personnel, with authorities reporting smooth conduct of the exercise.
The Returning Officer also outlined the election scenario in Mandai. Of the 332 nomination papers submitted, two were rejected during scrutiny, leaving 330 valid nominations. While 141 candidates have already been elected unopposed, 125 candidates remain in the contest.
Voting in Mandai will take place on September 28 at 27 polling stations covering 57 seats. The candidates include eight BJP nominees, 40 from the CPI(M), 55 from Tipra Motha, one from the IPFT and 21 independents.
Authorities said preparations for Tuesday’s advance voting and the final polling day are in place. Monday’s exercise ended peacefully, officials said, adding that similar arrangements have been made for the remaining stages of the election.
