Agartala, Feb 15, 2023, TRIPURA TIMES Desk

Agartala, Feb 15: Tripura is ready to go to assembly elections- Vote Parban on Thursday amid tight security arrangements.

As announced by the ECI, the voting would commence at 7 am and continue till 4 pm in all 3337 polling stations.

As many as 28,13,478 electors--  14,14,576 males, 13,98,825 females and 77 third genders are enrolled to seal the fate of 259 candidates, including 31 women, in EVMs on Thursday. The total number of service voters is- 10344. The results would be declared on Mar 02.

The Indo-Bangladesh border and the inter-state border with Assam and Mizoram have been sealed. The security checking has been intensified in all Naka points across Tripura.

More than 400 companies of Central Armed Paramilitary Forces (CAPFs) are already in the state for the assembly elections. Besides, over 20,000 TSR and police personnel are also there in the state.

According to official sources, more than 85 per cent polling personnel have already reached their respective polling stations or are on the way.

Chief Electoral Officer of Tripura Kiran Gitte along with other officials inspected the arrangements in dispersal centre at Umakanta Academy, Agartala.

The Chief Electoral Officer earlier said the Election Commission planned a three-tier security arrangement for the elections and all 3337 booths would have deployment of Central Armed Paramilitary Forces (CAPFs).

Official sources confirmed that 88 model polling stations, 97 all-women polling stations, 33 youth managed and 28 PwD-managed polling stations would be set up in all sixty constituencies. In the model polling stations, the state's tradition and culture along with important tourist locations would be highlighted.

The Election Commission of India approved 12 documents for the voters, who don't have EPIC.

Meanwhile, around 56,000 polling and security personnel and other staff associated with the elections have cast their votes through postal ballots while around 8,500 PwD and 80+ voters also exercised their democratic rights through the ballot papers from February 9 to 11.

Tripura witnessed intense campaigning by all major political parties- BJP, Tipra Motha, CPM, Congress, Trinamool Congress before the process came to an end at 4 pm of Tuesday.

In the meantime, according to CEO Tripura’s official facebook handle, Jhutan Chowdhury, 1st polling officer at 44/60 polling station, lost his father few days ago and he is now in a period of mourning as per Hindu tradition. But, he decided to devote his duties to the festival of democracy. Sub-Divisional Magistrate of Gandatwisa (RO 44- Raima Valley constituency) arranged for some fruits and milk to cater to his needs for the next two days.