Agartala, Jun 23, 2022, TRIPURATIMES Desk

Agartala, June 23: By-election to Agartala, Bordowali, Surma and Jubarajnagar assembly constituencies in Tripura passed off peacefully on Thursday, except some stray incidents.

According to an official report, the by election recorded 78.58 percent turnout accoriding to the final report (EVM voting).

There were allegations on rigging by the opposition parties while many of the voters were seen braving the intimidation to exercise their democratic rights. In some places, proxy voters were detected.

As the voting started at 7 am, long queues of electorates were reported from many of the polling stations while Chief Minister Dr. Manik Saha, who is contesting from Bordowali, cast his vote at Maharani Tulsibati School in the capital city.

Before exercising his franchise, the Chief Minister offered prayer at Lakshmi Narayan Bari temple.  

According to an Election Commission report, 33.18 per cent turnout was recorded in the four constituencies till 11 am and 78.58 per cent as per the final report (EVM voting).

As per latest updates, the voters' turnout in Agartala was 77.35 percent followed by 71.13 per cent in Bordowali, 83.11 per cent in Surma and 83.12 per centin Jubarajnagar.

According to reports, a reporter was assaulted by the miscreants near a polling station (MTB Girls School) in Town Bordowali constituency while covering the by-polls. Besides, Samir Saha, an employee of the Police department, was hospitalized after being attacked by the miscreants with sharp weapon near another polling station under 6- Agartala constituency. There were also allegations on attempts of preventing the voters from casting their votes.

The CAPF personnel guarded the polling booths while the Micro Observers maintained a strong vigil to ensure free and fair voting.

Meanwhile, soon after commencement of the voting process, Trinamool Congress alleged assembly of BJP supporters in front different polling stations in Agartala and Bordowali. The party also alleged that TMC polling agents were not being allowed to enter the booths in some polling stations under Surma constituency.

Of the total 221 polling stations, 10 were identified as critical and vulnerable, 59 identified as vulnerable and four identified as critical, an official report said.

Six polling stations were fully managed by the women staff-- 6/1 and 6/2 in Agartala, 8/1 and 8/2 in Town Bordowali, 46/48 in Surma and 57/42 in Jubarajnagar. The Election Commission engaged total 25 companies of central forces for the by-election.