Section 163 of BNSS Imposed Around Dharmanagar Counting Centre Ahead of By-Election Result Day on May 4

By Our Correspondent

Agartala, May 2, 2026

With the counting of votes for the Dharmanagar Assembly by-election scheduled on May 4 along with vote counting in five states including West Bengal, the North Tripura district administration has imposed prohibitory restrictions under Section 163 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS), 2023 in and around the counting centre at Dharmanagar.

According to an official order issued by District Election Officer and District Magistrate of North Tripura, Ms Chandni Chandran, IAS, the restrictions will come into force from 6:00 AM on May 4, 2026 and will remain effective till the completion of the counting process.

As part of the security measures, all kinds of public gatherings, movement of unauthorized vehicles, carrying of arms, and activities likely to disturb law and order have been prohibited within a radius of 100 metres from the counting centre of the 56-Dharmanagar Assembly Constituency.

The administration stated that the restrictions have been imposed to ensure peaceful, smooth, and transparent counting of votes and to prevent any untoward incidents during the sensitive counting period.

However, the order clarified that officials engaged in election duty, security personnel, magistrates, emergency service providers, and other authorized personnel connected with the counting process will remain exempted from the restrictions.

The district administration has also directed wide publicity of the order through loudspeakers and local media outlets so that the general public remains informed about the prohibitory measures.

Copies of the order have been forwarded to the Election Commission of Tripura, Home Department, Superintendent of Police, ICA Department, Sub-Divisional Magistrates, police authorities, and media agencies including AIR and Doordarshan for necessary action and public dissemination.

The administration warned that any violation of the order would attract punishment under Section 223 of the BNSS, 2023.

The Dharmanagar by-election counting is expected to draw significant political attention as the results will be declared simultaneously with assembly election results of five states across the country, including neighbouring West Bengal.

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