Violence free polls in Tripura, record 80 pc polling: EC

Agartala: The Election Commission on Thursday said the Tripura assembly polls remained “largely violence-free”, with Bru migrant voters being able to exercise their franchise for the first time in many years.
The tentative voter turnout was recorded at around 80 per cent. Final turnout figures will be known by Friday, it said. No complaints have been received so far by the EC demanding repolling, EC officials said.”A large number of voters were seen queuing in front of polling stations since morning to exercise their franchise. The polling process has largely remained peaceful amidst tight security,” he told reporters.
The exercise began at 7 am and ended at 4 pm. However, sporadic incidents of violence were also reported during the exercise.At least three people, including a CPI(M) leader and two polling agents of the Left party, were injured in separate incidents of violence during the polling.
A CPI(M) local committee secretary was injured after being attacked by unidentified people in Boxanagar area in Sepahijala district. He was taken to a nearby health facility, where his condition is stated to be stable, a police officer said.
Two CPI(M) polling agents were also severely beaten up in Kakraban assembly constituency in Gomati district.
A vehicle belonging to the polling agent of CPI(M) candidate Pabitra Kar was also ransacked at Khayerpur in West Tripura district, he said.The CEO said EVM malfunctioning was reported in 40-45 places but all the machines were replaced and voting resumed, adding the ECI is sending additional forces wherever required.
Chief Minister Manik Saha, who is contesting the polls from Town Bardowali constituency, was among the early voters. He exuded confidence that the BJP will secure an absolute majority in the assembly. “I am 100 per cent confident that the BJP will secure absolute majority in the elections. The party may get more seats than it did the last time,” he told reporters on his way to a polling booth here.Leader of Opposition Manik Sarkar, after casting his vote in Ramnagar constituency, appealed to the people to “brave all odds” and unitedly cast their votes for forming a new government that will create an atmosphere of democracy, peace and tranquility.
Rajya Sabha MP and former CM Biplab Kumar Deb exuded confidence that the BJP will win 40 of the 60 seats in the state. “Tripura has a tradition of giving massive mandate. The BJP-IPFT alliance has won 44 seats in 2018 polls, the Left Front has bagged more than 40 seats in 2002,” he said.”The northeastern state has witnessed massive development on all fronts — from education to healthcare to infrastructure — in the last five years. I am sure people will bless the BJP by ensuring the victory of our candidates in more than 40 seats,” the former CM said.
Deb offered prayers at the Tripureswari temple before going to cast his vote in Udaipur.As the voting progressed, the CPI(M) and the Congress thanked electors for exercising their democratic right to “restore democracy” by defying all obstacles. “I thank electors in all the 60 assembly seats for voting to restore democracy against all the odds. Some incidents of violence were reported but people showed courage,” CPI(M) state secretary Jitendra Chaudhury said in a video message from Sabroom, from where he is contesting the polls.”Despite threats and intimidation, the peace-loving people came out and participated in the festival of democracy to oust the present government.