IPFT Demands Changes to Tripura Election Forms Over Citizenship Law

Agartala: The Indigenous People’s Front of Tripura is pushing the Election Commission of India to fix its SIR enumeration forms. The party, a junior partner in the BJP-led state government, argues the current paperwork fails to account for the Citizenship Amendment Act 2019. This law does not apply to Sixth Schedule regions. Party leaders want distinct columns for people living in Tripura Tribal Areas Autonomous District Council zones and those outside them.

IPFT General Secretary Swapan Debbarma confirmed the party already flagged these concerns to the Chief Electoral Officer. Now, a central committee delegation plans to head to New Delhi to lobby the Election Commission directly. Party officials have told all Booth Level Agents to coordinate with state leadership on the matter. "The Citizenship Amendment Act 2019 is not applicable in TTAADC areas. In view of this, separate columns must be introduced for the citizens residing in ADC and non-ADC," Debbarma said.

The party is also gearing up for a demonstration at Jantar Mantar in New Delhi on August 23. This date marks the annual Tipraland Statehood demand day. The IPFT wants a separate state for the Sixth Schedule areas within the TTAADC. Organizers will select five members from every party division to join the sit-in protest.