CPI(M) demand simultaneously counting of all 60 assembly constituencies with foolproof security

Claiming the above 90% turnout on February 16 assembly elections as "unprecedented", the opposition Left Front and CPI(M) have demanded fool proof security in all counting halls and simultaneous counting of votes of all 60 assembly constituencies on March 2nd when the counting of polled votes will start from morning 8 AM.

CPI(M) state secretary Jitendra Chaudhury accompanied by Left Front convener Narayan Kar addressing a press conference said that the people of the state came out in huge number and unprecedented numbers on February 16 to exercise their franchise by stand long queues for hours and  braving all terror, threats and intimidation along with large-scale of violence sponsored by ruling BJP, people with determination casted their votes to elect a government of their choice.

The Election Commission of India (ECI) and all political parties should respect the mandate of the people and administration should ensure process of counting of polled votes cent percent fool proof, said Chaudhury and added that people came out of their homes in large numbers to vote for the "restoration of peace and democracy" in the state.

Some of the voters waited in queues till 11 PM and beyond, disregarding all threats, intimidations and bombing, which is something unprecedented in Tripura or for that matter any state in the country, said Chaudhury. He said that people, this time, voted for the restoration of peace and democracy.

Taking a dig at the BJP for asserting that it would win 55 of the 60 seats in the elections, Chaudhury said the BJP’s strength will be reduced to single digits in the Tripura assembly.

Urging the ECI over the alleged  trouble caused by miscreants in two strong rooms -- Santirbazar in South Tripura district and Teliamura in Khowai  district, Chaudhury  said the mischief-makers who tried terrorising the security personnel there should be arrested. Two separate groups of miscreants had on Monday night tried creating a ruckus near the strong rooms and miscreants were also driven away by the security forces.

He said that large-number of post-poll violence, which are going on different parts of the state are shameful and a slur on democracy, said Chaudhury and he also alerted people against fake news and exit polls sponsored by the ruling party and called upon people to maintain restraint and to remain unprovoked.

He also alleged that in many constituencies there were nightlong bomb explosions and terror to prevent voters from turning up before the polling booths but all these evil designs failed and people duly cast their votes. This shows clearly the nervousness of the ruling party and Left Front feel convinced that the Left Front- Congress combine is heading for a massive win in the election and ECI must ensure smooth and trouble-free counting of ballots simultaneously in all sixty assembly constituencies, said Chaudhury.