Agartala, March 18 (NationPress) Due to the occurrence of various tribal festivals, the Tripura State Election Commission (SEC) has moved the significant elections for the 30-member Tripura Tribal Areas Autonomous District Council (TTAADC) to April 12.

Initially, the SEC had scheduled the elections for April 13, setting the stage for a pivotal electoral battle in the tribal regions of the state.

The official notification regarding the TTAADC elections was issued by the relevant returning officers on Wednesday.

SEC Secretary Anurag Sen noted in a statement that the Commission received requests from community leaders, Ministers, MLAs, political parties, and NGOs urging a reconsideration of the April 13 election date.

The requests pointed out that April 13 coincides with significant tribal festivals like Garia Puja, Bizu, and Buisu, celebrated extensively in many areas poised for elections.

Sen emphasized that the Commission is dedicated to ensuring maximum participation from all communities and thus deemed it wise to avoid scheduling elections on dates aligned with traditional festivals.

During the ongoing Budget Session of the Tripura Legislative Assembly, this issue was discussed, leading to a resolution to move the election date to April 12.

After considering all factors, the SEC established April 12, 2026, as the revised polling date for the TTAADC elections, while confirming that all other previously announced dates remain unchanged.

Tripura State Election Commissioner Manoj Kumar had previously stated that the deadline for nomination submissions is March 25, with scrutiny taking place on the following day.

The last date for withdrawal of candidacies is March 28, and vote counting is scheduled for April 17.

Since 2021, the influential TTAADC has been under the administration of the Tipra Motha Party (TMP), a partner of the ruling BJP, led by Pradyot Bikram Manikya Debbarma. The council consists of 28 elected members and two members appointed by the state government.

In the previous 2021 elections, the BJP contested 11 seats, winning 9, with a BJP-supported Independent also securing a seat. The tribal-oriented TMP emerged as the dominant force, winning 18 seats and taking control of the council from the CPI(M)-led Left Front.

The TTAADC governs nearly two-thirds of Tripura's total area of 10,491 sq km and is home to over 12.16 lakh individuals, with around 84% belonging to indigenous tribal communities.

Founded on August 23, 1984, following the 49th Amendment to the Constitution, the TTAADC was established to protect the rights, welfare, and development of the tribal populace.

The inaugural elections for the fully operational council took place in 1985, marking a significant milestone in the quest for tribal self-governance.