By Firstdespatch Desk Feb 25, 2023
Agartala, Feb 25 (FD) Concerned with the post-poll violence at several parts of Tripura after the Feb 16 state assembly election, the state Election Commission decided to hold peace meetings in all the sixty-polling stations of the state on February 27 and 28 next, the Chief Electoral Officer, Kiran Gitte said today.
He said the ECI is concerned with the breach of peace after the elections and decided to hold peace meetings.
Gitte also appealed to the supporters of all parties to take a resolution of maintaining peace after the declaration poll result.
The Chief Electoral Officer said the meetings would be organized on behalf of the ECI with the title name:"We are for non-violence, we are for peace".
He said, “As we were all friendly earlier, we will remain so even after the announcement of the results of Tripura Legislative Assembly Election, 2023 on February 02 next.”
Gitte said, “We would also convince people to accept whatever the outcome of the election. This is our duty to convince people to accept it as an expression of the people's will and people's verdict”.
He asserted that people have promised to ensure the protection of all citizens, livestock, property and all types of institutions in this area.
For the first time in Tripura, a total of 60 counting observers for 60 Assembly Constituencies have been assigned who will arrive in the state after Monday next, the Chief Electoral Officer said.
Talking on the incidents of post-poll violence, he said though a few incidents were reported from different parts of the state, the administration had taken significant steps to tackle the problems and as a result of which no violence was reported since February 21.
Highlighting the details of polling which was held on February 16 last, Gitte said, the state witnessed about 90 percent of polling which might remain the highest percentage of polling throughout the year out of 9 states which are going for assembly polls this year.
He said about 25 thousands paramilitary personnel from 17 states of the country were deployed in Tripura during the first phase of the election.
Besides, hundreds of leaders and activists of all the political parties visited the state for the poll campaign, Gitte said, adding that over a thousand journalists were engaged in reporting on the day of voting.
And over hundred of observers were assigned by the Election Commission of India for the state during the first phase of election, the Chief Electoral Officer said.
Meanwhile, Chief Secretary J K Sinha, CEO Gitte and DGP Amitabh Ranjan have visited the violence hit areas in all the eight districts and held meetings with the district magistrates and superintendents of police.
Counting will be held in 21 counting stations amidst tight security, the official said. FD PD JK