Three-tier panchayat polls in only 29% seats underway in Tripura

AGARTALA: Amid allegations of violence, threats and intimidation, voting began for less than 30 percent seats of the three-tier panchayats in Tripura on Thursday under tight security. Besides opposition supporters and voters, a ruling BJP candidate of village Panchayat has been assaulted allegedly by the oppositions in Dhanpur of Sepahijala district.

According to State election commissioner (SEC) Saradindu Choudhuri the ruling BJP candidates have emerged victorious without any contest in over 4,551 (71.44 percent) of the 6,370-Gram Panchayat seats, while 235 (55.55 percent) of the 423 Panchayat Samati seats and 20 (17 percent) of the 116 Zilla Parishad seats unopposed.

More than 10,000 state security forces, including Tripura State Rifles (TSR) personnel and around 2200 Central Armed Police Force (CAPF) personnel have been deployed to hold the election peacefully. However, opposition Congress and CPI-M accused the administration of failing to ensure voting of the people.

“The ruling party didn’t allow the opposition to file nominations in 70 percent seats of three-tire panchayats resorting to attacks and violence in presence of police and security forces. Despite repeated requests and direction from the high court, the state government couldn’t ensure free and fair polling, which appeared to be a mockery to democracy,” said Congress President Ashis Kumar Saha.

The polled ballots of the election are scheduled to be counted on August 12.