AGARTALA, May 3 � An average 83 per cent polling was recorded in the elections to Tripura Tribal Areas Autonomous District Council (TTAADC) till reports last came in, according to official sources.
Though there was no major untoward incident during the polling, opposition parties � Congress, INPT, BJP and others alleged large scale rigging while the ruling CPM thanked the voters for reposing faith in the democratic process.
Reports from subdivisions said though the polling was thin in the initial hours, it gained momentum with the passage of time. If the trend continues, the polling will certainly cross 85 per cent.
Voters in traditional dresses were seen in front of polling booths to exercise their democratic rights amidst tight security.
�The State Election Commission estimate is that the final polling percentage is likely to cross the 83.62 per cent recorded in 2010 polls, said an Election official.
Deputy Speaker Pabitra Kar today said the polling was peaceful so far with no untoward incident till 12 am. �Large number of voters came out and participated in the elections to tribal council�, he said.
However, INPT leader Rajeshwar Debbarma alleged polling is going on under the shadow of CPM terror tactics. �At a polling booth in Mandainagar-Pulinpur constituency, a CPM cadre was seen influencing an old-age voter to cast his vote�, he said.
BJP State president Sudhindra Dasgupta alleged, �The ruling party has turned the election process into a mockery by capturing booths with the help of presiding officers and other polling officials. People�s aspiration will not be reflected in the mandate�.
The polls will decide the fate of the record number of candidates � 175 for 28 constituencies of the tribal council. To ensure free and fair elections, 16 observers and 165 sector officers were appointed in the State.
