ASSEMBLY POLLS

Tripura Assembly elections: Voting begins amid tight security

Voting for the assembly polls in the northeastern state of Tripura began today

PTI2_17_2018_000098B, Tripura election Polling personnel leave for election duties with VVPAT machines from a distribution centre in Agartala on Saturday | PTI

Voting for the assembly elections in the northeastern state of Tripura began on Sunday morning amid tight security, official said.

"Men and women in large numbers queued up in front of many polling stations well before polling opened at 7 am in the entire state. Polling ends at 4 pm," said Sriram Taranikanti, the Chief Electoral Officer.

In all, 2,536,589 people, including 1,250,128 women and 47,803 first-time voters are eligible to exercise their franchise to decide the fate of 292 candidates, including 23 women and many independents.

"Apprehending troubles by some tribal outfit, a record 50,000 para-military and other state security personnel have been deployed while two air surveillance team led by senior officials are conducting surveillance by helicopters," the election official.