89.8 percent of the over 25.73 lakh voters exercised their franchise for the Assembly polls on Sunday, 18 February, in Tripura, where the BJP is trying to dislodge the Left Front after an unbroken 25-year stint in power.
The CPI(M) is contesting in 57 seats and the other Left Front constituents - the RSP, Forward Bloc and CPI - in one seat each. The BJP, which has forged an alliance with tribal outfit Indigenous Peoples Front of Tripura (IPFT), has fielded 51 candidates. IPFT is contesting in the remaining nine seats. The Congress is going alone in Tripura this time and is contesting in 59 seats.
- Polling was concluded in 59 of the total 60 seats
- The BJP is the main challenger to the ruling Left Front, which has been in power in the state for the last 25 years
- The BJP held a high-voltage campaign with Prime Minister Narendra Modi addressing as many as four rallies in the state
- Manik Sarkar, who is running for his fifth term as the chief minister, led the CPI(M)’s campaign addressing around 50 rallies in the state
- Other Left leaders like Sitaram Yechury and Brinda Karat lent support to the party’s campaign
- Counting of votes would be done on 3 March
- Voting in Charilam Assembly constituency would be held on 12 March
Tripura Records 89.8% Voter Turnout: EC
An impressive 89.8 percent of the over 25.73 lakh electors came out to vote in the Tripura Assembly polls on Sunday, 18 February, the Election Commission said.
Polling continued till 12:30 am in many booths and so, the final polling percentage was not available on Sunday, state Chief Electoral Officer Sriram Taranikanti told reporters in Agartala.
A spokesperson on Monday said that the "final figure" was 89.80 percent. In the last Assembly election in 2013, the voter turnout was recorded at 91.82 percent, while in the 2014 Lok Sabha polls, it was 84.32 percent.
Meanwhile, the ruling CPI-M has lodged a complaint that Assam minister and BJP election in-charge of Tripura Himanta Biswa Sarma was present in the state during polling, violating EC guidelines.
Both the Left Front, which is headed by the CPI-M, and its main challenger, the BJP, thanked the electorate for the heavy turnout.
Voting Still Underway: EC
The Election Commission announced that the voter turnout till now (around 9 pm) is 78.56 percent and that voting was still underway at few polling stations.
74% Turnout Till 4pm, Number Likely To Increase: EC
Addressing the press after polling, Chief Electoral Officer Sriram Taranikanti said that voter turnout is 74 percent till 4pm, and is likely to increase as people are still queuing up. He also added that no incident of violence was reported in the state. Two crude bombs were recovered but disposed of.
Polling To Be Held On 12 March In One Constituency: EC
The Election Commission said that polling in one constituency will be held on 12 March, as it had to be rescheduled due to the demands of one candidate.