Voting for the 60-member Assembly in Tripura began at 7 am on Thursday amid tight security, said Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) Gitte Kirankumar Dinakarrao.
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Altogether 28.13 voters are scheduled to exercise their franchise during the day in 3,337 polling stations of the northeastern state to determine the fate of 259 candidates, he said.
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No untoward incident or EVM technical snag was reported from any part of the state during the first 30 minutes, he said.
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Of the 3,337 polling stations, 1,100 booths have been identified as sensitive and 28 as critical.
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As many as 97 booths are being managed by women polling personnel.
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The international and inter-state boundaries have been sealed to keep trouble-makers at bay during the voting process, Dinakarrao said.
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As part of precautionary measures, prohibitory orders have been imposed across the state till 6 am on February 17, the CEO stated.
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"As many as 31,000 polling personnel and 25,000 security personnel of central forces will be on guard to ensure the election is conducted in a free, fair, and peaceful manner. Besides, 31,000 officials of the state armed police and the state police will be deployed at various places to maintain law and order," he explained.
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Urging electors to come out and exercise their democratic rights, the CEO said necessary steps have been made for their safety.
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"Special initiatives have been taken for physically handicapped and elderly voters so that they don’t face any inconvenience at the booths," he said.
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The northeastern state is set to witness a triangular fight this time, with the BJP-IPFT coalition seeking to retain supremacy, the Left-Congress combine looking to wrest power, and regional outfit Tipra Motha making its debut at the hustings after its stunning performance in the autonomous council polls.
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The BJP is contesting 55 assembly seats, and its ally IPFT has fielded candidates in six constituencies. The two parties will be having a friendly fight in one seat.
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The Left Front is contesting 47 seats and the Congress 13 constituencies.
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The TMC has fielded nominees in 28 constituencies.?
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Apart from that, there are 58 Independent aspirants in the fray. Votes will be counted on March 2.?