Left Front urges transparent and secure vote counting in TTAADC elections

The Tripura Left Front Committee has expressed dissatisfaction over alleged irregularities and sporadic incidents of violence during the recently concluded TTAADC elections, while urging the State Election Commission (SEC) to ensure a transparent and peaceful vote-counting process.

After their deputation before the SEC, the Left Front leaders addressing a press conference at CPI(M) headquarters in Agartala on Tuesday afternoon, LF convener and former Minister Manik Dey stated that incidents such as voter intimidation, resistance by voters, expulsion of opposition polling agents from booths, and alleged manipulation inside and outside polling stations could have been avoided if the Commission had taken preventive measures based on their earlier suggestions.

Despite these concerns, the Left Front acknowledged that voters remained determined to exercise their franchise in the elections.

Highlighting the importance of the final phase of the electoral process, the counting of polled votes, the committee stressed that the counting of votes must be conducted in a transparent manner in the presence of all stakeholders and free from any untoward incidents.

To ensure free, fair, and credible counting, the Left Front placed a set of recommendations before the Commission, said Dey and highlighting their demands before SEC mentioned that all counting halls should be placed under strict security cover with the deployment of Central Armed Paramilitary Forces (CAPFs) both inside and outside the premises.

LF leaders also demanded that CCTV surveillance must be ensured in and around all counting centres and police protection should be provided to counting agents who feel insecure, both while entering the counting halls and returning after the process concludes.

Dey also said that proper seating arrangements must be made for counting agents, and they should be allowed to clearly view the results displayed on the EVM control units, along with adequate time to record them.

The Central Paramilitary Forces deployed for the elections should be retained in the state for at least one month, particularly in sensitive and mixed-population areas of TTAADC, to maintain peace and prevent post-poll violence.

The LF leaders also alleged that post-election reprisals against opposition parties have become a recurring feature in the state since 2018, raising concerns about law and order after the counting process.

They also submitted a memorandum before the SEC was signed by Left Front Convener Manik Dey, CPI State Secretary Milon Baidya, CPI(M) State Secretariat member Naresh Jamatia, RSP Secretary Dipak Deb, and AIFB State Committee Member Raghunath Sarkar.

The Left Front expressed hope that the State Election Commission would actively consider their proposals to ensure a smooth and fair counting process.