Photo Courtesy: India Today Group
Agartala: Tripura election officials want more boots on the ground. The State Election Commission requested 25 additional companies of Central Armed Police Forces to secure the November 27 Urban Local Body elections. They already have 14 companies patrolling the state. Secretary Anurag Sen confirmed that local police and Tripura State Rifles are also on site to keep the peace.
Voting for those on duty begins soon. Personnel working the elections can cast their ballots on November 21 and 22. This group includes police, civil administration staff, drivers, and camera operators. They must file Form 14 with their Returning Officer at least three days before they head to the polls. Sen explained the process: “Civil administration officials, police and TSR personnel, along with staff assisting Returning Officers, including cameramen, vehicle drivers and other election-duty personnel, will be able to cast their votes at the respective Returning Officers' offices by submitting Form 14”.
Each Returning Officer will set up an Election Duty Voting Facilitation Centre. Details on these locations will hit the media in the next two days. Candidates must also mind their manners. The Commission issued strict rules on campaign gear like flags and banners, dictating exact sizes and heights for all display materials.
Voters will not see VVPAT machines at the polls. The Commission stated the EVMs supplied by Bharat Electronics Limited lack the hardware for that technology. National guidelines prevent State Election Commissions from using the VVPAT-capable models found in Parliamentary or Assembly races. Officials confirmed they are doing everything possible to keep the election day running smooth.
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