Tripura Village Committee polls on Sep 28: 15,000 personnel deployed across tribal areas
Synopsis
Tripura's Village Committee elections — the first in a decade — go to the polls on 28 September with 15,000 security personnel deployed across tribal TTAADC areas. The Tipra Motha Party has already swept 1,557 seats unopposed, raising questions about inter-alliance tensions after an alleged attack on an IPFT leader by TMP supporters.
Key Takeaways
Tripura's Village Committee elections are scheduled for 28 September 2026 , the first such polls in 10 years .
Over 15,000 central and state security personnel — including 74 CAPF companies — have been deployed across all 8 districts .
Polling will be held in 2,954 seats across 44 blocks ; 9,820 candidates remain in contention.
The Tipra Motha Party (TMP) won 1,557 seats (33.87%) unopposed; BJP secured 81 seats (1.76%) uncontested.
IPFT Minister Sukla Charan Noatia alleged a 'brutal' attack on party General Secretary Swapan Debbarma by TMP supporters on 8 September in Khowai district .
Tripura's Village Committee elections, scheduled for 28 September 2026, are set to be conducted under unprecedented security cover, with over 15,000 central and state security personnel deployed across all eight districts of the state to ensure free, fair, and peaceful polling in the tribal areas under the Tripura Tribal Areas Autonomous District Council (TTAADC), officials said on Saturday.
Scale of the Election
The Tripura State Election Commission (TSEC) had earlier announced polls for 4,597 seats across 2,634 constituencies covering 587 Village Committees — the tribal equivalent of Gram Panchayats in non-TTAADC areas. These elections are being held after a gap of 10 years, making them particularly significant for local governance in Tripura's tribal belt.
Following large-scale uncontested victories and 1,069 candidate withdrawals, polling will now be contested in 2,954 seats across 44 of the 52 blocks. A total of 9,820 candidates remain in the fray.
Security Deployment Details
A senior police official confirmed that approximately 74 companies of the Central Armed Police Forces (CAPF) — translating to around 5,000 personnel — have been deployed alongside 10,000 personnel from the Tripura State Rifles (TSR) and Tripura Police. Polling parties bound for far-flung, mountainous, and remote areas were preparing to depart for their respective stations as of Saturday.
State Election Commissioner Pradeep Kumar Chakraborty reviewed security and administrative readiness through a series of virtual and in-person meetings. Tripura Director General of Police G.S. Rao, Inspector General of Police (Law and Order) Manchak Ipper, Commission Secretary Anurag Sen, all District Magistrates, and several senior officials participated in these reviews.
Unopposed Winners and the Political Landscape
Even before polling day, a significant share of seats has already been decided. The Tipra Motha Party (TMP) won 1,557 seats — or 33.87% of the total — unopposed, while the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) secured 81 seats (1.76%) uncontested.
The ruling alliance — comprising the BJP, TMP, and the Indigenous People's Front of Tripura (IPFT) — faces the CPI(M)-led Left Front and the Congress in the remaining contested seats. The month-long campaign concluded on Saturday afternoon.
Violence Allegations Cloud the Campaign
The pre-poll period has not been without controversy. IPFT Minister Sukla Charan Noatia alleged that a 'brutal' attack was carried out on his party's General Secretary Swapan Debbarma on 8 September at Hezamara in Khowai district.
According to Noatia, Debbarma 'was targeted and beaten up by supporters of the TMP while he was travelling to Khowai village. This kind of violence is completely unacceptable. IPFT, BJP and TMP are contesting the Village Committee election together as an alliance. Such acts of aggression directly undermine the very spirit of our unity,' he said. The TMP has not publicly responded to the allegations.
Authorities say security arrangements have been reinforced specifically to prevent such incidents on polling day and to guarantee voters a safe environment to exercise their franchise.
What Comes Next
With polling set for Monday, 28 September, the results of these Village Committee elections will shape grassroots governance in Tripura's tribal areas for years ahead. The outcome will also serve as a key indicator of how the ruling alliance's internal tensions — surfaced by the IPFT-TMP clashes — play out at the ballot box.
Point of View
Held after a decade-long gap, are more than a local governance exercise; they are a stress test of the BJP's ability to hold together a fractious tribal coalition ahead of future state and national contests. The heavy security deployment is also a tacit acknowledgement that political violence in Tripura's tribal areas remains a live threat that administrative assurances alone cannot resolve.
NationPress
26 Sept 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
When are the Tripura Village Committee elections being held?
The Tripura Village Committee elections are scheduled for 28 September 2026, a Monday. They are being held after a gap of 10 years in the tribal areas administered by the Tripura Tribal Areas Autonomous District Council (TTAADC).
How many security personnel have been deployed for the Tripura Village Committee polls?
Over 15,000 central and state security personnel have been deployed, comprising around 74 CAPF companies (approximately 5,000 personnel) and 10,000 Tripura State Rifles and Tripura Police personnel, spread across all eight districts of the state.
How many seats are being contested in the Tripura Village Committee elections?
Of the 4,597 total seats across 587 Village Committees, polling will be held in 2,954 seats in 44 of 52 blocks. The Tipra Motha Party won 1,557 seats and BJP won 81 seats unopposed, while 1,069 candidates withdrew nominations.
Which parties are contesting the Tripura Village Committee elections?
The ruling alliance of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), Tipra Motha Party (TMP), and Indigenous People's Front of Tripura (IPFT) is contesting against the CPI(M)-led Left Front and the Congress.
What violence has been reported ahead of the Tripura Village Committee polls?
IPFT Minister Sukla Charan Noatia alleged that party General Secretary Swapan Debbarma was attacked by TMP supporters on 8 September at Hezamara in Khowai district. The allegation is notable because IPFT and TMP are both part of the ruling alliance.
