35 companies of the Central Armed Police Forces (CAPF) have been deployed at various places for night patrolling as the state votes in the first phase of Lok Sabha elections today, West Tripura Election Officer Vishal Kumar said.
While speaking to ANI on Thursday, Kumar said, “Tomorrow (Friday) is the first phase of the election, and all our polling parties have already reached the respective polling stations. We have created webcasting facilities at all the polling stations. You all can see that I, along with West District SP, are patrolling. Along with this, 35 companies of CAPF are in various places for night patrol. And tomorrow also, the strike team will be ready.”
“Everything in this election will be favourable for voters. Till now, as per reports from polling persons, everything is as per schedule. Along with this, all the political parties are supportive. Whenever and whatever we are suggesting to them, they are accepting it. Tomorrow (Friday) will be good for everyone and I want to appeal to all the voters to come in a celebratory mood and cast their vote,” he added.
Speaking on the election preparations, he said, “The new EVM machines, i.e., the M3 machines, have fewer chances of defaulting. We are hoping that 3-4 percent of cases may arise of default EVMs, for which we have arranged for a quick response team along with sufficient vehicle and manpower support and a sufficient number of EVMs. We are hoping to solve such defaults within 30 minutes.”
“We have arranged the facilities of wheelchairs in all the polling stations. All the helpers and officers will be in service round the clock. Wherever there is a requirement for transportation, through our CDPOs, we will support them,” the official added.
The stage is set for a high-stakes electoral showdown in Tripura as the polling for the West Tripura and Ramnagar by-elections promises a multi-cornered contest, with nine candidates in the fray for West Tripura and two candidates from Ramnagar.
According to the Election Commission data, nominations of as many as nine candidates are found to be valid and hence they are set for the multi-cornered contest.
If small and marginal players like SUCI, Amra Bangali, and independent candidates are set aside, the constituency is set to witness a high-profile contest between BJP candidate Biplab Kumar Deb, who also happens to be the former Chief Minister of Tripura, and opposition INDIA Bloc candidate Asish Kumar Saha.
One of the constituencies that will be closely watched is Tripura West. The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has a significant presence in Tripura and emerged victorious in the two Lok Sabha seats in the state during the 2019 Lok Sabha elections. The party is now aiming to sustain its winning streak in the Tripura West constituency. Saha is the sitting president of the Tripura Pradesh Congress Committee and enjoys the support of the principal opposition party, the CPIM.
The campaign for the Tripura West Lok Sabha constituency and the Ramnagar Assembly constituency by-poll also ended at 5 pm on Wednesday.
The 2024 general elections will be held in India in seven phases, from April 19 to June 1, to elect the 543 members of the 18th Lok Sabha. The results will be announced on June 4.
