Agartala: In a bold accusation, Sudip Roy Barman, a former Minister and MLA from the Congress party spoke out against alleged voter intimidation and obstruction orchestrated by BJP-affiliated individuals during the first phase of the West Parliamentary election in Tripura.
Barman criticized the Civil and Police administration, asserting their failure to address these alarming issues.
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Following his own voting experience, Barman revealed that a significant number of voters were barred from exercising their democratic rights, citing instances where BJP-backed groups purportedly threatened and obstructed voters from reaching polling stations.
He recounted reports of physical assaults and the expulsion of opposition polling agents from booths.
Barman emphasized the organized nature of these disruptions, including the deployment of outsiders to carry out such acts of intimidation.
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Expressing concern over the erosion of democratic principles, Barman praised the efforts of the Chief Electoral Officer’s office in Tripura for curbing instances of fake voting, a problem prevalent in previous elections.
However, he lamented the broader atmosphere of coercion and suppression, denouncing the authorities’ alleged inaction despite complaints lodged with various electoral bodies.
In a grim assessment of the situation, Barman warned of a potential decline in voter turnout and urged for decisive action to restore faith in the electoral process. He pledged to continue advocating for change and expressed hope for a different outcome in the future.