Agartala, 14th April 2026: The Left Front has accused the Tripura State Election Commission of failing to ensure free, fair, and peaceful elections to the Tripura Tribal Areas Autonomous District Council (TTADC). Convenor Manik Dey voiced sharp dissatisfaction with the Commission’s role at a press conference today.
Dey alleged that unrest had been brewing even before polling day, with clashes reported between Tipra Motha and the Bharatiya Janata Party in several areas on the eve of voting. He claimed this created fear among ordinary voters, preventing many from exercising their franchise freely.
The Left Front leader further charged that multiple violations of the election code of conduct were reported across the state, yet the Commission did not take adequate action, allowing the situation to spiral out of control. He also raised questions over the use of Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs), asking why additional machines were brought in from Madhya Pradesh despite sufficient stock in Tripura. According to him, this decision lacked transparency.
The Left Front maintained that to guarantee impartial elections, central paramilitary forces should have been deployed at every booth, with regular patrolling in sensitive areas. Proposals for webcasting and scanner systems at polling stations were also ignored, Dey said.
With polling now complete, attention has shifted to the counting process. The Left Front has submitted a memorandum to State Election Commissioner Manoj Kumar, demanding maximum transparency and security during vote counting. The memorandum cited irregularities and unrest during polling and urged strict vigilance.
Among the proposals put forward were: Tight paramilitary security inside and outside all counting centres; Continuous CCTV surveillance; Police protection for counting agents during travel; Adequate seating arrangements at centres; and Sufficient time to record results displayed on EVM control units.
The Left Front also demanded that central forces remain deployed in Tripura for at least a month after the elections to prevent possible retaliatory attacks on opposition party workers.
