The Supreme Court has refused to postpone the civic bodies elections in Tripura.
The top Court was hearing a plea in connection with the violence ahead of Tripura civic polls.
The apex Court refused to postpone the elections saying that the process for polls has begun.
Moreover, the Supreme Court has ordered the Tripura government to maintain peace ahead and during the elections.
“…the apprehension of the TMC can be suitably addressed by issuing directions to the Tripura government to ensure that remaining phases of the municipal elections take place in a peaceful and orderly manner,” the Supreme Court said.
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Tripura has become new flashpoint of political tension between BJP and TMC ahead of the civic bodies’ elections in the state.
The TMC filed a petition before the Supreme Court regarding the “worsening law and order situation” in Tripura.
However, the Supreme Court declined to postpone the elections, and ordered the state government to ensure that elections are conducted in a peaceful manner.
“While we are not inclined to postpone the elections, we are equally of the view that it is the duty of the DGP, IGP and Home Secretary to assuage any misgivings about the law enforcement machinery in supporting the electoral process,” the Supreme Court said.
“The law enforcement agencies must discharge their duties in an even handed and non-partisan manner,” it added.
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While declining to postpone the civic polls in Tripura, the Supreme Court gave following orders to the state government:
- The DGP and the IGP (L&O) shall hold a joint meeting with the State election commission by tomorrow morning for the purpose of assessing the availability of para military forces for ensuring peaceful conduct of remaining phases.
- After making an assessment of the situation on ground, the requisition to be submitted to the CRPF and any such request shall be duly considered.
- The DGP and IGP shall take all steps to ensure that the election process is conducted in a peaceful and orderly manner without any disruption particularly on the date of polling.
The voting is on November 25 and the counting is on November 28.