AGARTALA, April 25 � EVM commissioning for the elections to Tripura Tribal Areas Autonomous District Council (TTAADC) has begun in presence of representatives from different political parties amid tight security, according to official sources.
As many as 1,400 EVMs would be commissioned to conduct the elections scheduled for May 3 next.
Speaking to media at Civil Secretariat here on Saturday, Election Commissioner for District Council SK Rakesh said ECIL engineers have been camping in different locations to supervise the three-day EVM commissioning.
The Commissioner said distribution of postal ballots meant for polling personnel and security personnel would begin from April 27 adding that the number of polling stations has been reduced from 1,071 to 1,070 after a polling station � Emrapassa under Demdum-Kachucherra constituency was found outside the TTAADC area. Accordingly, all the 686 voters were debarred from voting in the upcoming ADC elections.
Around 21 companies of additional Central paramilitary forces would be available for deploying in election-related duties. BSF and CRPF jawans who are undergoing training here will be engaged for election-related duties. If the existing number is not enough, then additional troops will be brought from outside the State, he said.
According to police, Central paramilitary forces would be deployed in all polling booths while TSR and police would be engaged outside the polling booths on law and order duties. �Elaborate security measures will be arranged for free and fair elections to TTAADC�, said a senior police officer here tonight.
A meeting on the progress linking of AADHAR card with the EPICs would be held in Shillong on April 29 next. Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) SK Rakesh would join the meeting to apprise the State�s progress in the new programme. So far, 4.5 lakh EPICs have been linked with AADHAR cards.
