Agartala, April 11 (NationPress) Following an intense month-long campaign characterized by vigorous political maneuvering and isolated skirmishes among party activists, the pivotal Tripura Tribal Areas Autonomous District Council (TTAADC) is preparing to hold elections on Sunday, as confirmed by officials on Saturday.

The TTAADC, which consists of 30 members—28 elected representatives and two appointed by the state government—oversees approximately 70% of Tripura's 10,491 square kilometers.

This council is recognized as a constitutionally essential entity, ranking just below the state Assembly in political significance.

Nearly 9,62,697 voters, predominantly from tribal backgrounds, including 4,80,666 women, will decide the futures of 173 candidates competing across 28 Assembly constituencies in eight districts.

This electoral battle features three national parties—the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), the Left Front led by the Communist Party of India (Marxist), and the Congress—alongside regional players like the Tipra Motha Party (TMP) and the Indigenous People's Front of Tripura (IPFT).

Additionally, several smaller parties and independent candidates are also participating.

As per the State Election Commission (SEC), the BJP, TMP, and Left Front have put forward candidates for all 28 Assembly seats, while Congress is contesting 27 and the IPFT is competing in 24.

Moreover, 38 independent candidates and individuals from smaller parties are also in the race.

Interestingly, the BJP's tribal allies—TMP and IPFT—are running separately after failing to establish an electoral coalition for the TTAADC elections.

The one-and-a-half-month campaign was marred by multiple confrontations, notably between BJP and TMP supporters, resulting in injuries to over 50 leaders and activists across various districts.

Despite the tensions, leaders from BJP, its ally TMP, and opposing parties have expressed optimism about winning.

To ensure a peaceful voting process, extensive security measures have been implemented. Tripura's Director General of Police (DGP) Anurag stated that over 13,500 security personnel from both Central and state forces have been assigned to the Assembly constituencies.

The DGP highlighted that the Central government has dispatched 24 companies of Central Armed Police Forces (CAPF), consisting of about 1,500 personnel, for election duties at the last moment.

Out of these 24 CAPF companies, 12 are from the Border Security Force (BSF), 10 from the Sashastra Seema Bal (SSB), and 2 from the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF). By Saturday, these forces will be positioned across all 28 TTAADC constituencies,” the DGP informed the media.

Additionally, around 12,000 personnel from the Tripura State Rifles (TSR) and state police have been deployed to uphold law and order during the elections.

Of the total 1,257 polling stations, 311 have been designated as highly critical, 693 as vulnerable, and 253 as normal, according to police reports.

The DGP reiterated that comprehensive security protocols have been established to ensure the elections are held freely, fairly, and peacefully.

He urged voters to cast their ballots without fear and to assist authorities in maintaining peace.

Since 2021, the TMP—formerly an ally of the BJP—has been in charge of this strategically vital council, which is considered the second most important constitutional body in Tripura after the state Assembly.

The TTAADC was established under the Sixth Schedule of the Indian Constitution in June 1985 to foster the socio-economic development of tribal communities, which continue to play a crucial role in the political landscape of the state.

Tribal populations constitute nearly one-third of Tripura's 4.2 million residents.

The TTAADC election results will be disclosed on April 17.