High Turnout Marks Conclusion of Voting in East Tripura; Officials Address Poll Boycott Concerns

The East Tripura parliamentary constituency witnessed a robust voter turnout, reaching 80.32 percent by the end of polling hours at 8 pm on Friday. The elections were conducted across 1,664 polling stations, with Chief Electoral Officer Puneet Agarwal noting that the final turnout is expected to rise after the scrutiny of Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) on Saturday.

Addressing concerns about a poll boycott in two polling stations due to local grievances regarding infrastructure and development issues, Agarwal emphasized the importance of respecting the decision of voters. Efforts were made by election officials to engage with the affected communities, although turnout remained low in those specific polling stations.

Despite these isolated incidents, overall polling in East Tripura proceeded peacefully, with Agarwal expressing gratitude to voters for their participation.

The Chief Electoral Officer also provided details on the turnout in the boycotted polling stations, indicating minimal voter engagement due to the grievances raised.

Regarding complaints received during the polling process, Agarwal mentioned that 92 complaints were addressed, resulting in the suspension of 26 poll officials for violating conduct rules.

Returning Officer Saju Vaheed highlighted the comprehensive measures implemented to facilitate voting, including the use of wireless communication channels in shadow areas to ensure seamless connectivity. Despite some minor challenges related to infrastructure in certain locations, the election process proceeded smoothly, with prompt resolution of issues related to EVMs.

Overall, the conclusion of voting in East Tripura marked a significant milestone in the democratic exercise, characterized by a high turnout and effective management of logistical challenges by election officials.