68% polling in LS polls till 3-00 PM, 56% in Ram Nagar by-poll, according to EC website

By Our Correspondent

Agartala, April 19, 2024

The polling for the twin elections to the West Tripura Loksabha seat as well as to the Ram Nagar by-poll seem to be progressing well . According to information uploaded in the official website of the election commission 68% polling was recorded for the Loksabha polls in West Tripura while the Ram Nagar assembly by-election saw a lower polling of 56% till the same time-that is up to 3-00 PM. However , the polling percentage is likely to register a steep hike by the time polling ends at 4-00 in the afternoon as many voters come to press EVM buttons in the afternoon after having lunch in less heat.

Meanwhile, the SP (west) Dr Kiran Kumar K. who had been tasked by the election commission to inquire into allegations made by the opposition parties filed a report to the returning officer Dr Vishal Kumar saying that he had found no truth in the allegations made. He said that the presiding officer posted in the polling station at Netaji Subhas Vidyaniketan had not reported that the polling agent of opposition Indian National Congress (INC) had been driven away by the ruling BJP supporters. Even the concerned police sector officer had not any such incident either. There is sufficient security force posted in the Netaji Subhas Vidyaniketan school polling station and they have been put under instruction to keep up strong vigil. No incident or coercion has also been reported from the Hindi higher secondary school. Dr Kiran Kumar in his report said that no incident of forcibly preventing voters from pressing EVM buttons has been reported also.

However , Congress leaders Sudip Roybarman and candidate Asish Kumar Saha persist in their allegations of massive irregularities in the election process today. They said that the supporters and workers of ruling BJP have been resorting to various coercive methods to prevent opposition party supporters from voting.