Teliamura, April 11: Hours before polling for the Tripura Tribal Areas Autonomous District Council (ADC) elections, an unusual development in Teliamura has sparked concerns over transparency, after Sub-Divisional Magistrate (SDM) Apurba Krishna Chakraborty declined to share election-related details with the media.
The SDM’s office remained busy throughout Saturday, with officials engaged in final preparations for the crucial polls. Polling personnel were seen organizing Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs), ballot papers and other essential materials for dispatch to various polling stations, including those in remote and difficult-to-access areas. Security arrangements were also being fine-tuned, with personnel from state police and central forces mobilised to ensure a peaceful voting process across all 28 seats of the council.
However, when journalists approached the SDM seeking routine information such as the number of polling stations, voter figures and security deployment, Chakraborty declined to provide any details. With folded hands, he told reporters that he was too occupied to respond and requested to be excused. The brief response left media representatives surprised, as election officials generally maintain a degree of openness to strengthen public trust in the democratic process.
The lack of official communication prompted journalists to gather information independently. According to sources, the Teliamura–Maharanipur constituency (No. 11) has a total of 31,767 registered voters, including 15,800 men and 15,967 women. The constituency is served by 48 polling booths, of which 21 are located in remote areas, posing logistical challenges for polling teams.
While the administration continues to assert its commitment to conducting free and fair elections, the incident has raised questions about information accessibility during a critical phase of the electoral process. Transparency and timely dissemination of information are considered key to maintaining voter confidence, particularly in closely watched elections such as the TTAADC polls.
Polling is scheduled for April 12, with authorities expressing readiness to ensure smooth and peaceful conduct despite the concerns raised.
