New Delhi: Tight security is present as voting for the Tripura Assembly election takes place today.
The ruling BJP faces off with the Left-Cong alliance on the one hand and the Tipra Motha on the other, will culminate today when the electorate casts its vote.
The BJP is contesting on 55 seats and its ally on six seats as both parties have fielded their candidates from the Ampinagar constituency. The Left – which includes the CPM, Forward Bloc, Communist Party of India (CPI) and Revolutionary Socialist Party (RSP) – will contest in 47 seats while Congress in 13 seats. The TIPRA Motha, headed by royal scion Pradyot Kishore Debbarma, will contest in 42 seats.
The counting of votes will be done on 2 March, 2023.
Here are the live updates:
3:50pm: 69.9 per cent voter turnout till 3 PM
3:40pm: Scuffle reported at polling stations 3 and 4 in the constituency of Kakraban. A case was registered.
Gomati, Tripura | Scuffle reported at a polling station between 3&4 under 33 Kakraban Assembly constituency. The sector magistrate held an inquiry into the matter. Case registered, situation under control: Sumit Lodh, ADM & Collector, Tripura pic.twitter.com/idKlpMMp4J
— ANI (@ANI) February 16, 2023
2:42pm: Office of the Chief Electoral Officer sends notices to the BJP and Tripura Congress for issuing appeals for votes in favour of their own parties.
#TripuraElections2023 | Office of the Chief Electoral Officer sends notices to Tripura Congress and BJP for "an appeal for vote in the favour" of their own parties tweeted from their official handles after the imposition of Model Code of Conduct. pic.twitter.com/vNWBVm04vs
— ANI (@ANI) February 16, 2023
After the Bru Migrants from Mizoram were resettled in the State of #Tripura, they exercised their right to vote for the first time in the State.@ECISVEEP @SpokespersonECI #TripuraAssemblyElections2023 #TripuraElection2023 pic.twitter.com/KY1NSNME3B
— CEO, Tripura (@ceotripura) February 16, 2023
11:40am: The state recorded 32.06 per cent voter turnout recorded till 11am.
11:33am: BJP MP Biplab Kumar Deb stated that Tripura was “in darkness” for a long time but under PM Modi’s leadership, the BJP “will once again” form a government with majority.
Tripura was in darkness for a long time. Today youth is hopeful, women have smiles on their faces & elderly show trust. This was missing. People are taking a decision for their future today.Under PM Modi's leadership, BJP will form a govt here once again with majority: Biplab Deb pic.twitter.com/yLqHAto0bW
— ANI (@ANI) February 16, 2023
11:15am: Former Tripura CM Manik Sarkar, has alleged attack on polling agents of the Left, claiming they were “thrown out” of polling booths in Dhanpur. He also alleged violence at Udaipur in Gomati district.
10:30am: Leader of the Opposition in the Tripura Assembly and former chief minister Manik Sarkar casts his vote in Agartala.
Agartala, Tripura | LoP and former CM Manik Sarkar casts his vote in Assembly elections#TripuraElection2023 pic.twitter.com/IccUvDEUne
— ANI (@ANI) February 16, 2023
9:30am: Tripura records 13.23 per cent voter turnout till 9am.
8:59am: Tripura CM Manik Saha appeals to voters to build ‘Unnat Tripura, Shrestha Tripura’
I have cast my vote at Tulsibati School under 8-Town Bordowali constituency.
My appeal to all voters of Tripura is to participate in the festival of democracy & exercise their democratic rights to build "Unnat Tripura, Shrestha Tripura". pic.twitter.com/IU7lsfaH0G
— Prof.(Dr.) Manik Saha (@DrManikSaha2) February 16, 2023
8:57am: Election Commission of India (ECI) notes ‘high voter enthusiasm’ as they gather to cast their vote. Facilities have also been made available for citizens over the age of 80 and persons with disability to vote from home.
High Voter enthusiasm #TripuraElections2023 indicates peaceful atmosphere prevailing in the State for conduct of polls under the aegis of Election Commission of India. Adequate security forces made available to instil a sense of confidence among voters. Some glimpses 4m PSs pic.twitter.com/jZalOigPbT
— Spokesperson ECI (@SpokespersonECI) February 16, 2023
8:34am: Tripura CM Dr Manik Saha casts his vote in Agartala
#WATCH | Tripura CM Dr Manik Saha casts vote in Assembly elections, in Agartala pic.twitter.com/fHpvoCpe4r
— ANI (@ANI) February 16, 2023
7:55am: PM Modi urges youth to ‘exercise their franchise’
Urging the people of Tripura to vote in record numbers and strengthen the festival of democracy. I specially call upon the youth to exercise their franchise.
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) February 16, 2023
7:52am: Voters from International Border area queue up to cast votes
Voters from the International Border area are one the way to cast their vote.@ECISVEEP @SpokespersonECI #TripuraAssemblyElections2023 pic.twitter.com/soGHGj6s4o
— CEO, Tripura (@ceotripura) February 16, 2023
7:26am: “Urging our sisters and brothers of Tripura to cast their vote to ensure that a development-oriented government is formed and the era of peace and progress that has already started continues smoothly. Come out and vote for a prosperous Tripura,” Union Home Minister Amit Shah tweeted.
Urging our sisters and brothers of Tripura to cast their vote to ensure that a development-oriented government is formed and the era of peace and progress that has already started continues smoothly.
Come out and vote for a prosperous Tripura.
— Amit Shah (@AmitShah) February 16, 2023