Agartala: Campaigning for the elections to the Tripura Tribal Areas Autonomous District Council (TTAADC) will end at 4 pm on Friday, 10 April, officials said, as authorities stepped up security measures and imposed restrictions to ensure smooth polling.
The elections, scheduled for April 12, have witnessed a multi-cornered contest, with the Tipra Motha Party and the BJP emerging as the principal contenders.
Security arrangements have been intensified across the state, with central forces deployed in addition to state police. A senior Tripura Police official said four companies of central armed forces have already arrived, while 20 more are expected on Friday.
Director General of Police Anurag said a total of 24 companies of central forces have been allocated, including units from the BSF and SSB, for deployment during the polls.
Officials said patrolling and flag marches are being conducted in sensitive areas to instil confidence among voters.
Meanwhile, the district administration of West Tripura has imposed prohibitory orders under Section 163 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS), 2023, in view of the polls.
As per the order, assembly of five or more persons within a 200-metre radius of polling stations has been prohibited without prior permission. The restrictions will remain in force from 4 pm on April 10 till 6 am on April 13.
The administration has also restricted convoys to not more than three vehicles and banned pillion riding on two-wheelers on the day of polling. Movement of two-wheelers in groups has also been restricted.
Carrying items such as sticks, rods and other objects that could be used as weapons has been prohibited in restricted areas. Mobile phones will not be allowed inside polling stations unless authorised, in line with State Election Commission guidelines.
The BJP and Tipra Motha have been leading extensive campaigns ahead of the polls, while other parties including CPI(M), Congress and IPFT are also in the fray.
According to the final voter list published by the Election Commission of the Tripura Tribal Areas Autonomous District Council (TTAADC), the total number of voters in the 28 constituencies of the ADC areas stands at 9,62,697.
Official figures show the roll includes 4,82,025 male voters, 4,80,666 female voters, and 6 voters from the third gender.