ECI special observers order officials for foolproof security for free and fair polls

Three special observers of the Election Commission of India (ECI) on Tuesday asked the top officials of the state government to take foolproof steps to conduct the February 16 Assembly polls in a free, fair and transparent manner.

The three special observers, who arrived in the state capital on Monday, had attended a series of meetings with top civil and security officials to monitor the overall law and order situation of the state and to ensure proper deployment of CAPFs.

During the meeting, the special observers also asked the authorities to intensify enforcement measures and measures for proper deployment of Central Arms Police Forces (CAPFs).

Among the three special observers appointed by the ECI including Yogendra Tripathy (IAS of 1985 batch), Special observer Vivek Johri, is 1984 batch of IPS officer and having served as DGP of Madhya Pradesh and another special observer B Murali Kumar, an IRS officer of 1983 batch has done election duties as special observer in the assembly elections of Gujarat and Uttar Pradesh in 2022 and in West Bengal in 2021.

On Tuesday afternoon, they held a meeting with top administrative officials including Chief Secretary J K Sinha, DGP Amitabh Ranjan,  Chief Electoral Officer (CEO), Tripura, Kiran Gitte and other top officials including police, CAPFs.

Later, three special observers attended another meeting regarding the overall poll-related situation with DMs, SPs and nodal officers of all eight districts via video conference.

The ECI has so far deployed around 200 companies of Central Armed Police Force (CAPF) in Tripura and more CAPF comprising Assam Rifles, Border Security Force, Central Reserve Police Force, Central Industrial Security Force companies are expected to arrive in the state.

"The flag marches by the CAPF have already started since the second week of this month to ensure confidence building among the political workers for campaigning and among the citizens to cast their votes freely without any fear. The security forces are deployed well before the poll process so that they get familiar with the locality and police have set up Naka point in every entry and exit point and intensified the checking including vehicles.