With the Agartala Municipal Corporation (AMC) elections approaching, an administrative meeting was held at the office of the Sadar Sub-Divisional Magistrate (SDM) on Wednesday in Agartala to discuss various election-related issues, including poll preparedness, law and order, and measures to ensure a peaceful and fair electoral environment.
Representatives of different political parties, along with senior police and administrative officials, attended the meeting. SDM (Sadar) Manik Lal Das briefed the media about the discussions and the administrative arrangements following the meeting.
During the meeting, representatives of the Left parties also raised several concerns and brought various complaints and objections related to the upcoming elections to the attention of the administration.
Meanwhile, the Sadar Sub-Divisional Committee of the CPI (M) submitted a memorandum to Sadar SDM Manik Lal Das, demanding necessary steps to ensure free, fair and peaceful elections while safeguarding the democratic rights of voters and candidates.
A CPI (M) delegation, comprising party leader Amal Chakraborty and other leaders and workers, visited the Sadar SDM’s office on Wednesday and formally submitted the memorandum.
In its memorandum, the CPI(M) alleged that party candidates were facing obstacles while conducting door-to-door election campaigns in different areas. It also claimed that threats were being issued to damage party flags, posters, flexes and banners. The party further alleged that candidates, proposers and party workers were being intimidated in connection with the election campaign.
Expressing concern over the possibility of an atmosphere of fear and intimidation among ordinary voters, the CPI (M) urged the administration to ensure adequate security, particularly for women and senior citizens. It stressed that voters must be able to exercise their democratic rights freely without any pressure, threats or intimidation.
The party also objected to the installation of political flags and campaign materials at various traffic islands and heritage locations across Agartala city. It demanded the removal of such materials in accordance with the Model Code of Conduct.
Through the memorandum, the CPI (M) sought adequate security for election campaigning, a proper investigation into allegations of threats and obstruction, and strict enforcement of the Model Code of Conduct.
With political parties raising concerns over the electoral atmosphere, the administrative meeting and the CPI (M)’s memorandum have brought the focus on the need for effective administrative intervention to ensure that the forthcoming Agartala Municipal Corporation elections are conducted in a peaceful, transparent and democratic manner.