TTAADC all set for election on Sunday, 173 candidates in fray
The high-voltage campaigning for the elections to Tripura Tribal Areas Autonomous District Council (TTAADC) came to an end at 4 pm on Friday. Now, the stage is all set for polling on Sunday, with all necessary arrangements including security measures already put in place.
A total of 9,62,697 voters-- 4,82,025 male voters, 4,80,666 female voters, and 6 voters from the third gender-- are enrolled under the 28 constituencies and as many as 173 candidates representing BJP, Tipra Motha, Left Front, Congress, IPFT and other political parties are contesting the elections.
The ADC, as the campaigning indicated, is going to witness a multi-cornered fight. The State Election Commission has been working with utmost sincerity to ensure that the entire electoral process is conducted in a free, fair, transparent, and peaceful manner, according to an official press release.
The State Election Commission stated, to further improve the law and order situation, 24 companies of Central Armed Police Forces (CAPF) have been deployed in the state. “Their deployment will significantly enhance security arrangements before, during, and after the poll process,” the Commission noted.
Necessary and comprehensive measures have been undertaken by the Police Authorities to maintain law and order throughout the campaign period.
“These measures are aimed at ensuring a level playing field for all political parties and candidates, thereby upholding the democratic spirit of the elections. Further to ensure that on the day of poll representatives of all polling parties remain present, it has been directed to the Returning Officers to instruct Civil and Police Sector Officers to provide necessary assistance so that they may reach the polling stations where they are assigned,” the Commission said.
3500 Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) have been received from the Madhya Pradesh State Election Commission. These machines have undergone First Level Checking (FLC) by the District Election Officers (DEOs). Subsequently they were handed over to the Returning Officers (ROS) for commissioning. All processes relating to the preparation and commissioning of EVMs have been duly completed. The machines are now securely stored in designated strong rooms under strict security arrangements and are ready for the conduct of poll.
The SEC said, postal ballot facilitation across all sub-divisions has been successfully completed, achieving an impressive 97% casting rate. The remaining 3% uncast postal ballots have been duly dispatched by the concerned Returning Officers to the respective voters through postal services to ensure maximum participation.
Regular area domination exercises and flag marches are being carried out by the District Election Officers and Superintendents of Police across all districts.
The Commission has issued strict instructions to all District Magistrates, Collectors, and Superintendents of Police to ensure a peaceful environment and to instill confidence among voters so that they can cast their votes without fear or intimidation.
“To maintain public order and ensure smooth conduct of elections, necessary restrictions have been imposed under Section 189 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), 2023, Section 163 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS), 2023, and Section 126 of the Representation of the People Act, 1951. These restrictions will be in force from 4:00 PM of 10th April, 2026 until 6:00 AM of 13th April, 2026,” the Commission said.
The Commission has issued detailed guidelines regarding the mandatory 48-hour silence period preceding the close of poll. During this period: No election-related campaigning or propaganda shall be carried out, no election matter shall be displayed, published, or telecast through television, radio, cable networks, social media, or any electronic or print medium within the polling areas.
Media houses, including TV channels, radio stations, digital platforms, and print media, are strictly prohibited from broadcasting or publishing any content that may influence voters, including debates, discussions, opinions, or opinion polls.
The Commission urged all stakeholders to strictly adhere to these guidelines. Any violation shall attract penal action under the relevant provisions of law.
For the conduct of poll scheduled on 12th April, 2026, the movement of polling personnel will commence from the morning of 11th April, 2026, under adequate security arrangements. The deployment is expected to be completed by 4:00 PM on the same day. Necessary arrangements have been made to ensure availability of minimum essential facilities at polling stations for both polling personnel and voters.
The Commission has also notified the documents other than EPIC which can be used for photo identification of voters on the day of the poll. The documents include Aadhaar Card, MGNREGA Job Card, Passbook with photograph issued by Bank/ Post Office, Health Insurance Smart Card issued under the scheme of Ministry of Labour/ Ayushman Bharat Health Card, Driving License, PAN Card, Smart Card issued by RGI under NPR, Indian Passport, Pension documents with photograph, Service Identity Cards with photograph issued to employees by Central/ State Government/Public Sector undertaking/Local Bodies or Public Limited Companies and Official identity cards issued to MPs/MLAs/MLCs and xii. Unique Disability ID (UDID) Card, M/o Social Justice & Empowerment, Government of India.
To enhance transparency and accountability, instructions have been issued for comprehensive videography of all critical stages of the election process, including nomination, scrutiny, FLC, commissioning, and opening/closing of strong rooms.
All necessary arrangements have been made for the counting of votes scheduled on 17th April, 2026. Counting personnel, including supervisors and assistants, have been identified and will be adequately trained. Engineers from ECIL will be present at all counting centres to address any technical issues related to EVMs and ensure smooth and timely declaration of results.
