Agartala, April 12 (NationPress) The essential elections for the Tripura Tribal Areas Autonomous District Council (TTAADC) are taking place across all eight districts of the state. By noon, over 50% of the 9,62,697 voters had participated, determining the future of 173 candidates.

The 30-member TTAADC, consisting of 28 elected representatives and 2 government-nominated members, governs nearly 70% of Tripura's 10,491 sq km area, making it a crucial constitutional entity, second only to the state Assembly in political significance.

As reported by officials from the State Election Commission (SEC), approximately 50% of eligible voters had cast their ballots by noon, with no significant incidents reported throughout the state.

Prior to polling starting at 7 a.m., tribal men and women adorned in traditional clothing queued in large numbers at most of the 1,257 polling stations across the state. Voting will proceed continuously until 4 p.m., mainly in areas populated by tribal communities.

This election follows a month-long, high-energy campaign characterized by heightened political activity and occasional clashes among party supporters. The politically significant TTAADC elections are anticipated to influence the future political landscape of this northeastern state. A total of 9,62,697 voters, mostly from tribal groups, including 4,80,666 women, will decide the outcome for 173 candidates contesting across 28 Assembly constituencies in eight districts.

Three national parties are participating: the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), the Communist Party of India (Marxist)-led Left Front, and the Congress, alongside two prominent regional parties, the Tipra Motha Party (TMP) and the Indigenous People's Front of Tripura (IPFT). Additionally, several smaller parties and Independent candidates are in the race.

SEC officials noted that the BJP, TMP, and Left Front are fielding candidates in all 28 Assembly seats, with Congress contesting 27 and IPFT in 24. Additionally, 38 Independent candidates and nominees from smaller parties are also contesting.

It's noteworthy that the BJP’s tribal allies, TMP and IPFT, are competing separately after failing to establish an electoral coalition for the TTAADC elections.

The campaign duration of one and a half months has seen multiple clashes, particularly between BJP and TMP supporters, resulting in injuries to more than 50 leaders and party workers across various districts. Despite the unrest, leaders from the BJP, TMP, and opposition parties all express confidence in achieving victory.

To ensure a peaceful polling process, extensive security measures have been implemented. Tripura's Director General of Police, Anurag, stated that over 13,500 Central and state security personnel have been deployed throughout the 28 constituencies of the tribal council. He mentioned that the Central government has dispatched 24 companies of Central Armed Police Forces (CAPF), totaling around 1,500 personnel, for election duties at the last minute. Additionally, around 12,000 personnel from the Tripura State Rifles (TSR) and the state police have also been dispatched to uphold law and order.

“Among the 1,257 polling stations, 311 have been classified as highly critical, 693 as vulnerable, and 253 as normal,” the police official stated, urging voters to participate without fear and cooperate with authorities to maintain peace.

Since 2021, the TMP, a BJP ally, has managed the strategically vital council, widely viewed as the second most important constitutional body in Tripura following the state Assembly.

The TTAADC was established under the Sixth Schedule of the Indian Constitution in June 1985 to foster the socio-economic growth of tribal communities, who continue to play a central role in the political dynamics of the state.

Tribal communities represent roughly one-third of Tripura’s 4.2 million population. The results of the TTAADC elections will be announced on April 17.