Tripura SEC holds all-party meeting to review preparations for civic polls

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The Tripura State Election Commission on Wednesday held an all-party meeting to review preparations for elections to 21 urban local bodies, including the Agartala Municipal Corporation, discussing polling infrastructure, nomination procedures, electoral rolls and security arrangements.

The meeting, chaired by State Election Commissioner P K Chakravarti, was attended by two representatives each from various political parties, officials said.

Speaking after the meeting, the commissioner said it was the first meeting convened to review preparations for the upcoming civic polls. The discussions covered the progress of election-related work at the district level and arrangements made by the Urban Development Department.

The meeting reviewed the publication of electoral rolls, identification of polling stations and preparation of the final voter lists. The commissioner said the first-level checking (FLC) of electronic voting machines (EVMs) was under way in different districts in the presence of political party representatives and government officials. The process is scheduled to be completed by Thursday, he added.

The participants also discussed procedures for filing nomination papers, scrutiny of nominations and withdrawal of candidature. The responsibilities of political parties and government officials following the announcement of the election schedule were also taken up, according to the commissioner.

Security arrangements for the polls featured prominently in the discussions. Representatives of political parties called for the deployment of the Central Armed Police Forces (CAPF), state police and other central forces to ensure security during the election process.

The commissioner said the officiating Director General of Police had discussed the utilisation of central forces currently stationed in the state for election duty. The police chief would also contact the Home Department to assess the requirement for additional central forces, he added.

Representatives of political parties also raised certain complaints relating to reservation of seats and electoral rolls during the meeting.

The commissioner appealed to all political parties to maintain peace and harmony during the election process and sought cooperation from all stakeholders to ensure that the polls were conducted peacefully and fairly.

The officiating Director General of Police, the secretary of the State Election Commission and officials from the departments concerned were among those present at the meeting.

The elections will cover 21 urban local bodies across Tripura, including the Agartala Municipal Corporation. The election schedule was not announced at the meeting, according to the information provided by the commission.

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