Left Front seeks central forces for Tripura ADC village committee polls Opposition alliance alleges intimidation of candidates, fears violence and booth capturing; seeks deployment a week before polling
By Our Correspondent
Agartala, September 5, 2026
The Left Front in Tripura has approached the State Election Commission seeking deployment of central armed police forces across the Tripura Tribal Areas Autonomous District Council (TTAADC) areas for the forthcoming Village Committee elections, alleging that the State does not presently have an environment conducive to free, fair and peaceful polling.
The Opposition alliance has also urged the Commission to declare all polling stations under the Village Committee constituencies as “very sensitive” and deploy Central Armed Police Forces (CAPF) at least a week before polling.
Former Tripura Minister and Left Front convener Manik Dey raised the issue at a press conference at the CPI(M) State headquarters in Agartala on Saturday. He alleged that Left candidates were facing threats and obstruction and that the possibility of electoral violence could not be ruled out.
In a memorandum submitted to the State Election Commission, the Left Front alleged that political violence targeting CPI(M) and other Left workers had increased along with what it described as a deterioration in the general law and order situation. It claimed that in several instances, supporters of the ruling parties were involved in such incidents, but alleged that adequate legal action had not followed.
‘Candidates obstructed’
The memorandum specifically referred to Hezamara, Lefunga, Belbari and Jirania blocks in West Tripura district. According to the Left Front, groups of alleged miscreants had gathered inside and outside block offices and prevented its candidates from entering or carrying out the nomination process.
The Opposition party claimed that its candidates had to be rescued by the police from the Hezamara block office. It has therefore sought adequate security for candidates at all block offices across West Tripura and other districts so that they can submit their nomination papers without obstruction and return safely.
The Left Front has also expressed concern over possible clashes between supporters of the BJP and the Tipra Motha Party. Although the two parties are partners in the State government, the memorandum alleged that their supporters had been involved in periodic confrontations in different parts of Tripura.
The Opposition said such incidents had created law-and-order challenges and claimed that the police had, on occasions, faced difficulties in dealing with clashes involving supporters of parties forming the ruling establishment.
The Left Front has asked the Commission to take preventive measures before the election campaign and polling begin in earnest.
Security for polling agents
The Opposition alliance also raised concerns regarding the safety of polling agents. Referring to its experience in previous elections, it alleged that Opposition polling agents had been prevented from reaching polling stations and, in some cases, those who managed to enter were forcibly removed.
It has sought police protection for Opposition polling agents while travelling to polling stations and while returning after the conclusion of polling.
The memorandum also urged the Commission to ensure a level playing field for all political parties during the campaign. It said Opposition parties should be able to conduct meetings, rallies and other campaign activities without intimidation or obstruction.
The Left Front has further demanded restrictions on the movement of outsiders in poll-bound areas after the campaign period ends. It suggested that people entering booth areas from outside the ADC region should be subjected to identity checks at entry points.
Webcasting at all booths
Another key demand is continuous webcasting from every polling station. The Left Front has urged the Commission to ensure that polling stations remain under camera surveillance from the beginning to the end of polling.
The demands come against the backdrop of heightened political activity ahead of the Village Committee elections in the TTAADC areas. The elections are politically significant as the Village Committees constitute the grassroots-level institutions within the autonomous council areas.
Mr. Dey alleged that Tripura had witnessed instances of “vote loot”, bogus voting and attempts to prevent voters from exercising their franchise. He argued that deployment of central forces was necessary to create confidence among candidates and voters.
At the press conference, Mr. Dey also appealed to voters to maintain peace and communal harmony. He called upon people from both the tribal and Bengali communities to protect peace, social harmony and unity in the State.
The Left Front has placed the responsibility for ensuring a violence-free election squarely on the State Election Commission. It has urged the Commission to consider its demands in view of what it described as the prevailing ground realities.
The Commission’s response to the Opposition’s demands, particularly its request for central force deployment and classification of all polling stations as “very sensitive”, is now being watched closely as the election process gathers pace.
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