By Prabir Sil
82 percent turnout recored for Lok Sabha polls in the state
Agartala: An average 82 percent turnout was recorded in the East Tripura Lok Sabha constituency till 5 pm which is well below of the WestTripura Lok Sabha constituency which went to polling on April 7 last, according to official sources.
Around 82 percentage of the total electorates- 11.38 lakh voters exercise their franchise in 1490 poling booths of the East Tripura Parliamentary constituency on Saturday, said Addl Chief Electoral Officer DC Das.
The polling was peaceful with no untoward incident reported to the Returning Officer as well as police authority, he said adding that in some polling booths, EVMs did not work properly but it did not come on the way of smooth polling process.
Reports from subdivisional town indicates, around 50/55 percent polling was recorded in all the 30 Assembly segments in the early hours and it gained momentum.
However, the enthusiasm on the face of voters was mysteriously missing this time. Long queue was not seen in sizable number of polling stations that resulted in relatively less turn-out in the polling.
There was no threat or intimidation from any outlawed group during the polling, according to police.
Of course, tight security was put in place all around the poll bound areas of East Tripura Lok Sabha seat.
The ruling CPM greeted the voters for participating in strong number in the second phase elections. “The state has a long tradition of high and peaceful elections and it has been continued in today’s battle of ballots too”, said a party leader.
There are 12 candidates in the fray including CPI(M)’s Jitendra Chowdhury, who is the state Industries Minister, INC’s Sachitra Debbarma, a prominent educationist, BJP’s Parkshit Debbarma, an ex-armyman, and Trinamool Congress leader Bhriguram Reang. The counting of polled EVMs would be held on May 16.