Agartala, April 4: A controversy has erupted over electronic voting machines (EVMs) ahead of the upcoming elections in Tripura. The Left Front, led by the CPI(M), has accused the Election Commission of using EVMs without VVPAT (Voter Verified Paper Audit Trail) units, despite the availability of sufficient machines in the state.
Left leaders claim that these EVMs were brought in from Madhya Pradesh and lack VVPAT functionality, raising questions about the transparency of the voting process.
Voting for the 30-member Tripura Tribal Areas Autonomous District Council (TTAADC) is scheduled for April 12, while a by-election for the Dharmanagar assembly seat in North Tripura will take place on April 9.
Manik Dey, the coordinator of the Left Front and a former minister, stated that during a recent all-party meeting, the Left, Congress, and other parties demanded the use of EVMs with VVPAT. However, State Election Commissioner Manoj Kumar rejected this request.
Dey accused the State Election Commission of acting from a “political perspective,” noting that the commission also dismissed demands for the deployment of Central Armed Police Forces (CAPF) during the elections.
He further alleged that the state’s Tribal Welfare Minister, Bikash Debbarma, claimed during the election campaign that no matter which button voters pressed, their votes would go to the BJP. A complaint has been filed against this statement, but no action has been taken so far.
Left leaders have also questioned the commission’s refusal to allow webcasting, arguing that citing “lack of funds” contradicts the principles of transparency.
Additionally, the Left Front has alleged that money and free goods are being distributed openly during the elections, yet the commission has taken no action against this.
In the Dharmanagar by-election, six candidates from the BJP, CPI(M), Congress, and other parties are contesting. This seat became vacant following the death of former MLA and Assembly Speaker Biswabandhu Sen on December 26, 2025.
According to the State Election Commission, the BJP, Tipra Motha Party, and Left Front have fielded candidates for all 28 seats in the TTAADC elections. Congress is contesting 27 seats, while the Indigenous People’s Front of Tripura (IPFT) has candidates in 24 seats. Additionally, 38 independent and smaller party candidates are also in the fray.
In total, 173 candidates will vie for their fortunes in the TTAADC elections on April 12. This council covers nearly two-thirds of the state’s area (approximately 10,491 square kilometers) and represents a population of over 1.2 million, with around 84 percent belonging to tribal communities.
My name is Ganpat Singh Choughan. I am an experienced content writer with 7 years of expertise in the field. Currently, I contribute to Daily Kiran, creating engaging and informative content across a variety of categories including technology, health, travel, education, and automobiles. My goal is to deliver accurate, insightful, and captivating information through my words to help readers stay informed and empowered.
Leave a Comment