Agartala | Tripura CPI(M) state secretary Jitendra Chowdhury has urged the State Election Commission (SEC) to strengthen security and introduce uninterrupted webcasting during counting of votes for the ongoing Village Committee elections under the Tripura Tribal Areas Autonomous District Council (TTAADC).

In a letter to the State Election Commissioner, Chowdhury alleged that opposition parties faced “undemocratic violent aggression” by people allegedly backed by the ruling party during the nomination and polling stages.

He claimed the violence prevented opposition candidates from filing nominations in a significant number of seats. With counting now approaching, the CPI(M) leader described it as the “last and final phase” of the electoral process and urged the SEC to ensure a peaceful, transparent and uninterrupted count.

Chowdhury put forward seven demands, including deployment of Central Armed Police Forces (CAPF) personnel at all counting halls. He also sought permission for counting agents who are voters in TTAADC areas, citing the practice followed during the previous TTAADC general election.

The CPI(M) leader further demanded uninterrupted webcasting from all counting halls to facilitate monitoring of the process. He urged the SEC to prevent unauthorised persons, irrespective of their political affiliation, from entering counting halls and ensure that counting continues without interruption once it begins until all votes are counted.

Chowdhury also sought police protection for opposition counting agents while travelling to and from counting centres, wherever such protection is requested.

In addition, he called for separate designated areas for supporters of each contesting party near counting centres and urged the police to secure these areas and maintain peace in the blocks where the elections are being held. The allegations made by Chowdhury are political claims and were not independently established in the information available.