Polling for the Tripura Bar Council elections was conducted peacefully across the state on Saturday, with voting commencing at 9 am, Returning Officer Justice S. C. Das said.
Speaking to reporters at the premises of the Tripura High Court, where polling was underway, Justice Das stated that the election process began smoothly. “Polling started at 9 am. Initially, voter turnout was low, but after 10 am, the number of voters at the booths increased substantially,” he said.
At the High Court premises in Agartala, seven polling stations were set up, with voting taking place simultaneously at all stations. In addition to Agartala, polling stations were established in Bishalgarh, Sonamura, Udaipur, Belonia, Khowai, Kailashahar, Kamalpur and Dharmanagar to facilitate participation from advocates across the state.
Justice Das informed that Returning Officers, Polling Officers and Observers were centrally appointed for all polling stations and had undergone adequate training to ensure the smooth conduct of the elections.
Polling was scheduled to continue until 4 pm. He clarified that voters entering the polling premises before the deadline would be permitted to cast their votes. After the completion of polling, ballot boxes would be sealed by the Returning Officer and polling officials.
A total of 1,678 voters are eligible to participate in the elections, including 1,191 voters from Agartala. Eleven candidates will be elected to the Bar Council.
Justice Das further stated that the elections are being held as per the directions of the Supreme Court of India. Tripura is conducting the elections in the second phase alongside Andhra Pradesh and Delhi.
A High Power Committee appointed by the Supreme Court, along with two counting experts, will arrive on February 20. Counting of votes is scheduled to begin on February 21.
