Tripura Assembly Election 2018 updates: 78.56% voter turnout at 9 pm, CEO to order inquiry into EVM malfunctions

Officials confirm 76 percent voter turnout in Tripura 

At least 76 percent of over 25.73 lakh voters exercised their franchise for the Assembly polls today in Tripura, where the BJP is trying to dislodge the Left Front after an unbroken 25-year stint in power, officials said.

The Election Commission said in New Delhi the updated polling percentage was compiled from 41 of the 59 constituencies. At its briefing earlier, the poll watchdog had put the figures at 74 percent. — PTI

76 percent voter turnout was recorded in 41 constituencies, reports ANI

Tripura chief electoral officer Sriram Taranikanti says he will order an inquiry into the EVM malfunctioning incidents in the state

Input by Prabhu Mallikarjunan/101Reporters

CPM, BJP confident of Tripura Assembly election victory

As Sunday’s voting to elect 59 of the 60 members of the Tripura Assembly passed off peacefully, the ruling CPM and BJP exuded confidence of an electoral victory in the northeastern state.

Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) Tripura unit President Biplab Kumar Deb said, “People want change. People strongly wish for a BJP government in Tripura. It is certain that the BJP will form the next government in Tripura.” 

Communist Party of India-Marxist (CPM) Tripura State Secretary Bijan Dhar said the Left parties were “overconfident” of forming the next state government.

He said CPM general secretary Sitaram Yechury said, “The Prime Minister and other BJP leaders always talk of Digital India, but in today’s (Sunday) elections a large number of EVMs-VVPATs malfunctioned to create serious doubts about the high-pitch Digital India campaign,” the Left leader said. —IANS

Tripura Congress spokesman Harekrishna Bhowmik criticizes Election Commission for loss of voting time due to EVM malfunctioning at many booths 

Input from Armstrong Chanambam/101Reporters

74 percent voter turnout till 4 pm, says Election Commission 

The Election Commission (EC) said that the poll percentage at 4 pm stood at 74 percent and it was likely to increase as people were still waiting in queues to vote. It added that there were several complaints of malfunctioning of EVMs, many of which were found to be false. ANI reports that 12 ballot units were replaced due to this malfunctioning. “No incidents of violence were reported from anywhere in the state. Two crude bombs were recovered which were disposed off,” EC added. The commission also said that in one constituency, polling would be held on 12 March, as it was rescheduled due to the demands of a candidate. 

74% voter turnout till 4pm, it likely to go up as there are people in queues to vote even now: Election Commission #TripuraElection2018 pic.twitter.com/UWktStCOp7

— ANI (@ANI) February 18, 2018

VVPAT was used for the first time in all the polling booths in Tripura, says Election Commission

VVPAT was used for the first time in all the polling booths in Tripura: Election Commission #TripuraElection2018 pic.twitter.com/KiqTI04OCN

— ANI (@ANI) February 18, 2018

Tripura CEO Sriram Taranikanti says polling to continue in many booths. He adds that voter turnout until 3 pm stands at 67 percent

Polling continuing in certain places in Tripura 

NDTV reports that Election Commission said voting would close at 4 pm. The report adds that voting is continuing in places where people have been waiting in queues to cast their vote, polling will conclude once they all cast their votes.

120-year-old Jarina Bibi comes to vote assisted by her grandchildren in Radhakishorepur Assembly constituency

Input from Ayub Sarkar/101Reporters 

A voter says he came to the polling booth at 7 am, but polling hadn’t started until 10-10:30 am due to some issue with the EVMs

Input from Ayub Sarkar/101Reporters 

Will complete polling before stipulated time, says Tripura CEO Sriram Taranikanti 

“It is going on smoothly. We hope the momentum carries on,” Tripura Chief Electoral Officer Sriram Taranikanti said about the Tripura polls to _ ANI . “_There were a couple of issues in EVMs in the morning. Our team has resolved the issue. We will be able to complete polling before the stipulated time,” he added.

Voter says he does not expect much from any party but has come to vote as it matters

Input from Ayub Sarkar/101Reporters

65 percent voter turnout till 3.00 pm, reports ANI

Additional CEO Tapash Roy said polling percentage till 3 pm stands at about 60 percent

Visuals of voters waiting for their turn at a polling booth in Raj Nagar, Agartala

Voters are waiting for their turn at a polling booth, during the #Tripura #Assembly Election, in Raj Nagar, Agartala pic.twitter.com/3wYOnvwHN7

— Ministry of Information and Broadcasting (@MIB_India) February 18, 2018

A voter from Mungiakami block says they have queued up to vote since morning so that peace is maintained in their area. He added that water has been arranged for people waiting in the queue.

Input from Ayub Sarkar/101Reporters

A first-time voter in Tripura says she doesn’t want to change the government as it may lead to loss of peace in her village​
 

Input from Ayub Sarkar/101Reporters

A first-time voter speaks to Firstpost about the polls 

Input from ​Ayub Sarkar/101Reporters

Voter turnout at 1 pm stands at 47 percent, reports Election Commission

Replacing or rectifying the EVM-VVPAT to resume voting in polling stations: Additional CEO Tapas Roy 

“The Election Commission has deployed specially modified EVMs attached with VVPATs in all the 3,174 polling stations across the state. We are replacing or rectifying the EVM-VVPAT and voting resumed in those polling stations after that,” Additional Chief Electoral Officer Tapas Roy told IANS. He added that voting was peaceful and incident free.

In a series of tweets, CPM compares ‘TripuraModel’ with Modi’s ‘vikaas’

#ModiLies Vs #People1stTripuraModel#TripuraElection2018 pic.twitter.com/2DKUCZySSC

— CPI (M) (@cpimspeak) February 18, 2018

#ModiLies Vs #People1stTripuraModel#TripuraElection2018 pic.twitter.com/vavuVtNad8

— CPI (M) (@cpimspeak) February 18, 2018

#ModiLies Vs #People1stTripuraModel pic.twitter.com/TCnFXGdfyc

— CPI (M) (@cpimspeak) February 18, 2018

EVM snag leads to slow polling across state

An election department official said that snags in the Electronic Voting Machines (EVM) attached with VVPAT (Voter Verifiable Paper Audit Trail) in over 150 polling stations, resulted in slow balloting across the state. “Around 35 to 40 per cent votes were cast so far and there are long queues in most of the polling stations both in plain and mountainous areas,” the official told IANS.

Tripura created history in 2008, 2013 polls

In the 2013 and 2008 Assembly polls, Tripura scripted a record in the electoral history in India by casting 92 percent and 91 percent votes respectively, reports IANS.

ITBP jawans guarding polling centres in Gomati and South Tripura

#ITBP troops at Polling Booths in Gomati and South Tripura #TripuraElection2018 #Himveers pic.twitter.com/oH4GNSlQb7

— ITBP (@ITBP_official) February 18, 2018

Reang tribals who came to vote at Biswaram Chowdhury Para SB School in Raima Valley demand better drinking water, roads and electricity

Input from Sushanta Das/101Reporters

Traditional CPM voter says not many complaints against ruling party

35-year old Agartala-based voter and traditional CPM voter says there aren’t too many complaints against the government as such but it will be difficult for CPM to stay in power for too much longer. Even if the BJP doesn’t do as well as they hope in these polls, there are more polls coming up soon like Lok Sabha, panchayat, municipality. The opposition and people in general are frustrated with the long incumbency. It’s only natural because it’s not possible to keep everyone happy for so many years. 

Input from Armstrong Chanambam, 101Reporters

Cases of EVMs, VVPATs malfunctioning in Tripura

According to NDTV, several EVMs and Voter-Verifiable Paper Audit Trail (VVPAT) systems have malfunctioned in some polling booths in Tripura.

RECAP: Congress does not make ‘false promises’ like BJP, urges people to vote for it, says Rahul Gandhi

Rahul Gandhi on Friday appealed to the people of Tripura to vote for the Congress to bring good governance, saying unlike the BJP, his party does not make false promises. Alleging that neither the CPM nor the BJP pay attention to development, he said the Congress is the only party which can deliver on its poll promises and will form government at the centre in 2019, reported PTI.

Confident of completing election process in stipulated period, says Tripura CEO

It is going on smoothly. We hope the momentum carries on. There were couple of issues in EVMs in the morning. Our team has resolved the issue. We will be able to complete polling before the stipulated time: Sriram Taranikanti, Chief Electoral Officer Tripura #TripuraElection2018 pic.twitter.com/NYwdia3N7N

— ANI (@ANI) February 18, 2018

Voter turnout: 1 pm update

According to the state election department, the voter turnout till 1 pm is 45.86 percent.

BJP leader Ram Madhav urges Tripura voters to join ‘Chalo Paltai’ movement

The PM had appealed the people of Tripura to come out to vote. We are confident that people will listen to him & join us in our slogan of 'Cholo Paltai': Ram Madhav, BJP National General Secretary #TripuraElection2018 pic.twitter.com/uspZX7cf3F

— ANI (@ANI) February 18, 2018

Safety and unemployment need immediate attention, says BJP supporter

Moushmi Ghosh, 42-year-old BJP Mahila Morcha member from Sadar sub-division in West Tripura district, shares her expectations from next government. Safety and unemployment need immediate attention, she says.

Input from Armstrong Chanambam, 101Reporters

Voter turnout recorded at 27 percent till 12 PM

Hope voters will help defeat BJP, Congress with huge margins: Moboshar Ali, CPM candidate from Kailashahar

Speaking to firstpost, Moboshar Ali, CPM candidate from Kailashahar constituency, urged voters to maintain peace. “I appeal the voters to maintain peace and harmony and cast their vote so that the left can come to power once again.  We hope the voters would defeat the candidates of Congress and BJP with huge margin and make the Left candidate the winner here,” 53-year-old Ali said after casting his vote.

Input by Pintulal De, 101Reporters

Ruling government working closely with EC to ensue Left’s victory, claims BJP leader

BJP candidate Nitish Dey told Firstpost, “Since 7 am, voters are waiting to cast their votes for a change and are waiting in queue in front of the polling centres. There are reports of a few anomalies in EVM machines and so few polling centres have started bit late in Kailashwar Constituency. This is the fault of the administration as they did not check the machines properly. I have also seen that some of the state employees are working closely with EC to favour the ruling party. We have taken up this matter with the administration. They are violating the code of conduct. I was canvassing till 4 pm on 16 Feb and I believe that BJP is going to win the seats.”

Input by Pintulal De, 101Reporters

CPM cannot win by threatening voters; BJP will surely win polls, says BJP Tripura chief

Tripura BJP president Biplab Kumar Deb spoke to Firstpost at Banamalipur Assembly constituency

Input from Armstrong Chanambam, 101Reporters

BJP, CPM leaders claim EVM malfunctioning

BJP leader Sudip Roy Burman and ruling CPM leader Krishna Majumder, both candidates from the Agartala constituency , had earlier in the day claimed that voting in a few polling stations in the state capital were held up for more than 90 minutes because of EVM glitches. Additional CEO Tapas Roy refuted the claims and said all voting machines were working.

Congress candidates accuses poll officials of misbehaviour

“There has been disturbance (in poll booths). So we called up the DM and he sent some officers to the voting centre. Now it is going on peacefully. The officers at times misbehaves with the senior voters but for them only now it is systematic and peaceful,” Congress candidate Birajit Sinha said.

Input by Pintulal De, 101Reporters

RECAP: PM says ‘Left believes in gun-tantra’

The prime minister invoked the recent deaths of BJP workers, claiming that the Left government was resorting to bloodshed, sensing that its end is near. Modi claimed that the murders of 10 BJP workers and a journalist was carried out by the ruling party’s supporters ahead of the polls.

Speaking in Hindi, Modi used rhyming words to hit out at Manik Sarkar government and make his point: “Left parties do not believe in democracy (ganatantra) they believe in gun-tantra,” Modi said. “They murdered our 10 BJP workers. They killed journalists,” he alleged.

Read the full report here.

No reports of violence, says Tripura CEO

Taranikanti said that there were no incidents of violence reported anywhere in the state and the polling was peaceful. 

Input by Prabhu Mallikarjunan, 101Reporters

180 engineers helping us resolve EVM malfunctioning, says Tripura CEO

Responding to queries on EVM malfunctioning at several places on the polling day, Sriram Taranikanti, Chief Electoral Officer of Tripura said, “There were technical glitches and we have had difficulty in about 3% of the total voting machines across the State. We have rectified the same and polling is going smooth. A team of about 180 engineers are helping us address such technical problems.”

Input from Prabhu Mallikarjun, 101 Reporters

BJP candidate accuses CPM cadres of threatening voters

Kalyani Roy, BJP candidate from Teliamura constituency in Khowai district, said CPM cadres were disrupting the poll process by provoking voters to vote for their candidate in her constituency. “There is ‘cadre raj’ going on here. They threatened me with life when I questioned them. I am filing an FIR at Teliamura police station right now,” she said.

Picture credit: Facebook (Input from Suneet Shukla, 101 Reporters)

Voter turnout update

At 11 am, the turnout stands at 23.25 percent. However, officials are still counting the numbers. The final figure can go up to 25 percent. 

Source: Election Commission

Earlier visuals of a polling booth in Agartala

Tripura: Visuals of voting for #TripuraElection2018 from Shishu Bihar School polling booth in Agartala. pic.twitter.com/LeGNMQzw5t

— ANI (@ANI) February 18, 2018

20 % voting all across Tripura till 10 am

Input from Armstrong Chanambam, 101Reporters

Voting yet to begin in some places

Several stations in constituencies like Rajnagar, Amarpur, RK Pur, Matabari and Bagma haven’t started polling due to “malfunctioning EVMs”. 

​_Input from Ayub Sarkar,101reporters_

EVM malfunctioning reports from Tripura

15 EVMs have malfunctioned across the state so far. However, no major incident has been reported till now, reports CNN-News 18.

Heir apparent of Tripura royal family Pradyot Kishore Manikya talks about Congress, elections and BJP’s prospects

In the backdrop of the hectic poll preparations, Pradyot Kishore Manikya, heir of the royal family in Tripura and the working president of the state Congress unit, spoke to Firstpost about elections, his relationship with the Congress leadership, and his vision for the state. The royal scion also cleared the air about his recent meetings with bigwigs from both BJP and the Congress, and explained why he is comfortable with the grand old party and does not see the BJP as a credible force in the state.

Read full inteview here.

CPM candidate alleges ‘rough behaviour’ from security staff

Bijoy Laxmi Singha, CPM candidate from Kamalpur in Dhalai district, said she faced “rough behavior from security staff” at her polling booth, when she went their to thank her supporters. She also said that booth no 54 and 55 in Kamalpur experienced EVM malfunctioning early in the day, but problems were soon resolved.

Input from Suneet Shukla/101Reporters

Polling yet to begin in several booths due to technical snag

Polling is yet to begin in several stations in constituencies like Bamutia, Kurti- Kadamtala and Bagbasa due to technical snags in EVMs. Chief Electoral Officer Taranikani said replacement of faulty machines are taking place. 

Input from SS Ali, 101reporters

RECAP: BJP accuses CPM of spreading rumours about monitoring EVMs, submits memorandum before EC

The BJP on Thursday approached the Election Commission, alleging that the ruling CPM in Tripura is spreading rumours that their workers would be able to assess who voted for them in the state elections.

In a memorandum it submitted to the EC, the BJP stated that going by past several elections in the state, the CPM had indulged in “mass-scale rigging” and has “subverted with impunity the electoral processes by spreading rumours, intimidating voters and unleashing violence.”

Here are the reserved seats for the ST/SC candidates

BJP leader and NEDA convenor Himanta Biswa Sarma tweets

Good morning #Tripura.

I request all to cast their votes and strengthen the spirit of #democracy. Each one of you is important and must exercise your rights.

— Himanta Biswa Sarma (@himantabiswa) February 18, 2018

Your one vote will lay the foundation of a prosperous and developed Tripura, says Amit Shah

I urge all my brothers and sisters of Tripura to come out and vote in large numbers. Your one vote will lay the foundation of a prosperous and developed Tripura.

— Amit Shah (@AmitShah) February 18, 2018

Union Minister Rajyavardhan Singh Rathore urges people to vote in large numbers

Urging the people of Tripura to come out and vote in large numbers. Your vote is the key to your future. Make it count. #CholoPaltai #TripuraElections2018

— Col Rajyavardhan Rathore (@Ra_THORe) February 18, 2018

Like Congress, Trinamool canvassed for votes towards the end

Trinamool Congress, which allied with two tribal-based parties — Indigenous Nationalist Party of Tripura and National Conference of Tripura — boosted its poll campaign by roping in senior leaders and film stars from West Bengal, reported IANS.

Sarkar’s wife confident of CPM’s victory

While Manik Sarkar did not interact with the media after casting his vote, his wife expressed confidence that the CPM will be winning the Tripura Assembly election, reported NDTV.

Tripura ranks high on social indicators

• Tripura showed the best improvement in infant mortality rate among the 10 states we analysed, dropping 24 points from 51 deaths per 1,000 live births in 2005-06 to 27 in 2015-16;
• The state’s mortality rate for children under five years of age dropped 26 points to now rank fourth best (33 deaths per 1,000) among 10 states analysed;
• Tripura boasts of one of the highest female literacy rates in India (89.5 percent) but holds the second lowest percentage of women educated for more than 10 years (23.4 percent), much worse than the national average (35.7 percent).

Read full report here.

Chief Minister Manik Sarkar casts his vote at Umakanta English Medium School at Ramnagar at 9.40am

Input by Armstrong Chanambam/101Reporters

Reports of EVM malfunctioning from Tripura

All India Radio reported that EVM malfunction was reported from one of polling booths of Banamalipur constituency. One EVM was replaced in Badarghat constituency, the report added.

Manik Sarkar greets media after casting his vote in Agartala

​

Image courtesy: Twitter @airnewsalerts

Chief Minister Manik Sarkar casts his vote in Agartala

Tripura CM Manik Sarkar casts his vote at a polling booth in Agartala, he is an MLA from Dhanpur constituency #TripuraElection2018. pic.twitter.com/UniDo6VGIf

— ANI (@ANI) February 18, 2018

At 9.30am, polling percentage in Raima Valley (ST) Assembly Constituency is 11%

Input by Sushanta Das, 101 Reporters

Delay in getting poll percentages from tribal areas; voting brisk, says CEO Tripura

“People are enthusiastic about voting. The poll percentage count is delayed as we are still getting inputs from the remote tribal areas. That said, the polling has been peaceful so far,” Sriram Taranikanti, Chief Electoral Officer, Tripura said.

Update: 9 am voter turnout 

ANI reports that 11 percent voters in Tripura have cast their vote till 9 am.

Congress has been an absent Opposition in Tripura

The Congress, which was in power for two complete terms in Tripura since it attained statehood in 1972 and remained the principal Opposition party until the last Assembly elections, is facing the upcoming polls merely to maintain its relevance in the state’s politics. The Congress, its critics say, has been absent from active politics, owing to its many political compulsions. Moreover, the large scale exodus of leaders and workers from the party over past three years has left it in a deplorable state, reported PTI.

BJP’s Tripura in-charge speaks to Firstpost 

BJP state in-charge of Tripura Sunil Deodhar says he’s confident there won’t be any instances of booth capturing and reposes faith in the central forces deployed across the state. 

Input by Armstrong Chanambam, 101 Reporters

Aerial shots from a polling booth in Agartala

Aerial shots from outside polling booth number 6/20 in Agartala's Bhati Abhay Nagar. BJP's Sudip Roy Barman is the sitting MLA from Agartala. #TripuraElection2018 pic.twitter.com/vX2Jg1gh2Q

— ANI (@ANI) February 18, 2018

RECAP: Congress promises loan waiver for farmers, employment to voters in state

The Congress on Monday promised development, employment and waiver of farmers’ loans in Tripura if voted to power in the state. Releasing its election manifesto here for the Tripura Assembly elections, AICC general secretary and Puducherry Chief Minister V Narayanswamy brushed aside poll promises and claims made by the BJP and the Left, reported PTI.

Left’s performance in Tripura

As with most long-serving governments, the Left government in Tripura has seen good days and bad. Thus, while it has been credited with reducing militancy and getting the Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act (AFSPA) withdrawn from the state by investing heavily in a local police force, it has lately come under attack over its stance on the partition of the state.

Read full report here.

RECAP: BJP releases manifesto, promises employment, SEZs in state

On 11 February, BJP leader and Union minister Arun Jaitley released the party’s manifesto for Tripura Assembly election, which promised that SEZs would be set up in the state and smartphones would be given to the youth for free if the saffron party is elected to power in the state, reported PTI.

BJP Tripura president Biplab Kumar Deb cast his vote in Udaipur

BJP #Tripura President Biplab Kumar Deb cast his vote at booth number 31/34 in Udaipur, says, 'these election results will be historic, we will definitely win. PM & Amit Shah ji called me & gave good wishes.' #TripuraElection2018 pic.twitter.com/9JuawbE2QL

— ANI (@ANI) February 18, 2018

Brisk voting in first hour, says Tripura SEC

Tripura’s State Election Commission to take count on the polling percentage every two hours. Across Tripura polling has begun in a brisk pace in the first hour.

Ayub Sarkar, 101 Reporters

Voters queue to vote in Tripura

Input by Ayub Sarkar, 101 Reporters

Amit Shah confident of BJP forming next government in Tripura

On 12 February, BJP president Amit Shah asserted that the BJP would form the next government in Tripura which would be the 20th state to be ruled by the saffron party, PTI reported .  Shah assured the voters that the promises made in the party’s election manifesto released on Sunday would be implemented.

“Seeing the atmosphere and campaigns after visiting various constituencies, I am rest assured that the BJP would form the next government in Tripura and it would be the 20th BJP ruled state,” Shah told a news conference in Agartala.

This is how Tripura voted in the past

Total number of voters

In all, 2,536,589 people, including 1,250,128 women and 47,803 first-time voters are eligible to elect 60 MLAs of the Tripura Assembly.

Last-minute campaigning by Congress leaders in Tripura

Hours before the end of campaign, Congress President Rahul Gandhi and other central leaders boosted the campaign of the Congress party, which has been hit by large numbers of top state party leaders, seven MLAs and huge number of workers joining the BJP since last year.

Number of candidates in fray

In all 292 candidates, including 23 women and many independents, would be testing their electoral fortunes in Sunday’s election.

ITBP conducted a confidence building march in North Tripura

Confidence Building March by #ITBP troops in Darmanagar, North Tripura#TripuraElection2018 #Himveers pic.twitter.com/fCyZAA0Lee

— ITBP (@ITBP_official) February 17, 2018

Watch: It is a direct fight between the BJP and the Left in Tripura

#BattleForTripura -- Tripura polls underway. BJP eyes Left citadel. #TripuraElection2018 | @Sougata_Mukh with ground report pic.twitter.com/24sHm4xpnY

— News18 (@CNNnews18) February 18, 2018

A faulty EVM was reported in one of the constituencies in Gomati district in Tripura

Input by Ayub Sarkar, 101 Reporter

BJP’s Tripura in-charge Sunil Deodhar urges high turnout today

As the voting begins in Tripura, I appeal to all Tripuravasi to turnout in record numbers & exercise their franchise. Vote to bring law & order in the State. Vote to make Tripura a model state and ushering in an era of good governance, safety and prosperity.#TripuraElection2018

— Sunil Deodhar (@Sunil_Deodhar) February 18, 2018

CPM meets CEC on special observer’s meeting with Tripura BJP chief

The CPM on Saturday dubbed “unusual” the appointment of a special observer for the Assembly election in Tripura and objected to his closed-door meeting with the state BJP president. A CPM delegation met Chief Election Commissioner OP Rawat and expressed concerns over the appointment of the special observer, PTI reported.

Tripura elections marred by blamegames, violence 

With the Assembly elections in Tripura scheduled for 18 February), incidents of poll-related violence are being reported almost every day from across the Left Front-ruled state. Allegations and counter allegations fly thick and fast, with both national and regional parties laying the blame for their cadres’ deaths on the CPM-led Left Front government, while the latter ducks the charges.

Read this 16 February report here.  

​

Tripura, bastion of CPM, is low on development but high on social and health indices

The green hill state’s development parameters are mixed. It has a literacy rate of 87.8 percent and is the fifth-most literate state in the country as per the 2011 Census. The state’s sex ratio, at 960 females per 1,000 males, is above the national average of 942. On multiple social and health indicators, Tripura competes with Goa, Kerala, Karnataka and Gujarat – which rank first, eighth, 10th and 12th on per capita income (2014-15) – our analysis showed.

Read full report here.

Raima Valley votes

Voting begins in Raima Valley, a tribal belt in Tripura. The area has about 893 voters and all are of Chakma community. 

Inputs by Sushanta Das, 101 Reporters

People wait in queue to vote in Maharani Tulsibati Higher Secondary school in Agartala

Input by Armstrong Chanambam, 101 Reporters

People voting at Maharani Teshhil in Dhalai, Tripura

Input by Ayub Sarkar, 101 Reporters

Voters in Tripura’s Udaipur say they want a government which provides development

#TripuraElection2018: People queue to cast their votes at polling booth number 31/34 in Tripura's Udaipur, say, 'we want a government that can push for development in the state.' pic.twitter.com/oeck7Eg76e

— ANI (@ANI) February 18, 2018

Tight security in place in Tripura ahead of polls 

Tripura chief electoral officer Sriram Taranikanti said that Director General of Indo Tibetan Border Police (ITBP) RK Pachnanda has been appointed as a special observer to coordinate the security forces deployed in the state. State Director General of Police Akhil Kumar Shukla said tight security measures are in place across Tripura for free and fair elections. Three hundred companies of central armed forces have been deployed across the state along with state armed personnel and the police, he said, adding the BSF is keeping keep close vigil along the 856 kilometre long India-Bangladesh border in the state, PTI reported.

Visuals from a polling booth in Agartala

Inside visuals from polling booth number 6/20 in Agartala's Bhati Abhay Nagar. #TripuraElection2018 pic.twitter.com/lwH7DYldBr

— ANI (@ANI) February 18, 2018

First direct confrontation between Left and BJP

The CPM is confident of retaining power in its bastion of Tripura in Sunday’s Assembly elections and achieving a turnaround in the Left movement across the country, though the BJP is battling tooth and nail to oust the Left Front government. In India’s 65-year-long electoral history, the country’s dominant Left party, the Communist Party of India-Marxist (CPM), has never been in direct confrontation with the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).

Polling begins on a brisk note at Ramnagar in Agartala

​

Image courtesy: SS Ali, 101 Reporters

Prime Minister Narendra Modi urges people to come out and vote

I appeal to my sisters and brothers of Tripura, particularly young voters, to turnout in record numbers and cast their vote in the Assembly Elections.

— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) February 18, 2018

Election postponed in one constituency due to death of CPM candidate

A sitting CPM MLA and candidate in Charilam in western Tripura died on Sunday evening due to cardiac arrest, an official said. “The sitting MLA and Communist Party of India-Marxist candidate for Charilam (Scheduled Tribe) seat, Ramendra Narayan Debbarma, died at the Gobinda Ballav Panth Medical College and Hospital, where he was admitted in the afternoon with chest pain,” an Election Department official said. The official said the election in Charilam would be countermanded as per electoral laws.

Congress’ solo act

The Rahul Gandhi-led Congress party is fighting alone in this elections. The party is contesting 59 out of the 60 seats.

CPM fighting on 57 seats

The CPM is contesting in 57 seats and while the other Left Front constituents, the RSP, Forward Bloc and CPI, in one seat each in Tripura Assembly election in 2018.

Visuals from Tripura’s Udaipur

#TripuraElection2018: Voters queue up at polling booth number 31/34 in Tripura's Udaipur. 59 out of the total 60 seats are being contested for in these elections, pic.twitter.com/wOhAM635SJ

— ANI (@ANI) February 18, 2018

Visuals of voting from Agartala

Tripura: People at polling booth number 6/20 in Agartala's Bhati Abhay Nagar. #TripuraElection2018 pic.twitter.com/uIfm6cyOPy

— ANI (@ANI) February 18, 2018

Preparations for the polls in Tripura

About 3214 polling stations have been setup for 25,69,216 voters across 60 constituencies. The Election Commission has also directed to set up one ‘All- women managed polling stations’ for each Assembly Constituency where the entire polling staff, including the police and security personnel, shall be women.

Input from Team 101 Reporters

Voting begins in Tripura

#FLASH: Tripura Election 2018: Polling begins for 59 out of the total 60 seats. pic.twitter.com/KwsnGtKqtc

— ANI (@ANI) February 18, 2018