By-Election preparations for Dharmanagar assembly constituency completed with adequate deployment of security forces, CEO

The Election Commission of India (ECI) has so far completed all necessary preparations for the by-election for the 56-Dharmanagar Assembly constituency, which will be held on April 9, said the Chief Electoral Officer (CEO).

Addressing a press conference here at the Election department office, CEO(Tripura) Brijesh Pandey said that voting will take place from morning 7 AM to 5 PM, while counting of votes will begin at 8:00 AM on April 11 and counting of polled votes will be held on May 4th next. The CEO stated that comprehensive arrangements have been made to ensure smooth polling and counting.

A total of six candidates are contesting in the by-election. These include BJP candidate Jahar Chakraborty, INC candidate Chayan Bhattacharjee, CPI(M) candidate Amitabha Dattab, Amra Bangali candidate Bibash Ranjan Das, SUCI© candidate Sanjoy Chowdhury, and Independent candidate Brajalal Debnath.

The constituency has a total of 46,142 voters, including 23,758 female voters, 22,384 male voters, and 91 service voters (88 male and 3 female). There are 55 polling stations in total—32 in urban areas and 23 in rural areas. Among these, 11 are model polling stations, 11 are managed entirely by women, 2 polling stations will be managed by persons with disabilities, and 2 by youths, said Pandey.

The CEO said that polling personnel will be dispatched from Dharmanagar Government Girls’ H.S. School, where strong rooms have also been set up for vote counting.

To ensure smooth election conduct, general, police, and expenditure observers have been deployed, said Pandey and added that basic facilities such as drinking water, electricity, ramps, and toilets have been ensured at all polling stations. Additionally, 75 micro-observers have been appointed. A “dry day” has been declared in North Tripura district from April 7 to April 9.

April 9 has been declared a public holiday for voters in the constituency. Campaigning will end at 5:00 PM on April 7, and no political campaigning will be allowed within 48 hours prior to polling, said Pandey.

Voters will be allowed to cast their votes using EPIC cards or any of the 12 alternative identity documents approved by the Election Commission, including Aadhaar card, PAN card, driving licence, passport, MGNREGA job card, and others.

He also said that special arrangements have been made for elderly voters (above 85 years) and persons with disabilities through postal ballots. So far, 169 voters have exercised their franchise through postal ballots, and arrangements have been made for 91 service voters as well.

Helpline numbers have been issued for assistance, and voters can also use mobile applications such as Voter Helpline, C-VIGIL, and Know Your Candidate (KYC).

The CEO assured that adequate security arrangements have been put in place to ensure free, fair, and peaceful polling. He urged all voters of the 56-Dharmanagar Assembly constituency to actively participate in the democratic process.

During the press meet, Additional Chief Electoral Officer Ushajen Mog, deputy CEOs, Utpal Chakma and Suman Banik were also present.