Agartala: The elections to 587 village committees (VCs) under the Tripura Tribal Areas Autonomous District Council (ADC) will be held on Sept 28 after a decade, the state election commission (SEC) announced on Monday.State election commissioner Dr PK Chakraborty said counting of votes would take place on Oct 5, with the entire election process scheduled to be completed by Oct 8.The election notification will be issued on Sept 1. The last date for filing nominations is Sept 8, followed by scrutiny on Sept 9. Candidates can withdraw their nominations by Sept 11.Polling is planned to take place across 587 village committees, covering 2,634 constituencies and 4,597 seats. Preparatory work for the elections, initially planned for 2022, had begun, but the process was delayed due to the Covid-19 pandemic and subsequent legal complications.District magistrates and collectors of all eight districts have been appointed as district election officers, while block development officers of 52 RD blocks will serve as electoral registration officers. The SEC has also appointed 231 assistant returning officers and 373 sector officers. Around 8,500 polling personnel are expected to be deployed, Chakraborty said.The final electoral rolls include 9,61,977 voters — 4,82,041 males, 4,79,930 females and six third-gender electors. A total of 1,550 polling stations have been identified.Voting will be conducted using ballot boxes. Counting centres will be set up at block headquarters or other suitable locations.Chakraborty said security arrangements had been reviewed with the police administration and adequate forces would be deployed in sensitive and poll-bound areas to guarantee peaceful voting.The Model Code of Conduct has come into force across the village committee areas going to polls. The SEC said preparations, deployment of personnel and security arrangements would ensure free, fair and peaceful elections.
