By Firstdespatch Desk Sep 21, 2026
Agartala, Sept 21 (FD) The West Tripura district administration has imposed prohibitory restrictions across the district ahead of the General Election to Village Committees under the Tripura Tribal Areas Autonomous District Council (TTAADC), scheduled for September 28.
District Magistrate and Collector Vishal Kumar issued the order under Section 163 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS), 2023, following directions from the Tripura State Election Commission. The restrictions will remain in force from 4 pm on September 26 until 6 am on September 29.
According to the order, polling in West Tripura district will be held on September 28 from 7 am to 5 pm. The administration said the measures were aimed at preventing the distribution of cash, gifts and liquor to influence voters, as well as unlawful assemblies and activities that could disrupt peace and public order.
The order prohibits assemblies of five or more persons, whether carrying weapons or objects such as sticks, iron rods, bamboo or stones that could potentially be used as weapons. Public meetings, rallies, gatherings and public addresses, including those involving loudspeakers, have also been restricted across the district.
The restrictions will also apply within 200 metres of polling stations. The movement of two or more motorcycles or vehicles together in a manner constituting an unlawful assembly has also been prohibited.
However, several categories have been exempted from the restrictions. These include voters carrying valid identity cards while travelling to polling stations, election personnel, CAPF and police personnel deployed for election duty, government employees on official duty, accredited media personnel and vehicles engaged in election-related work.
Voters will be allowed to use private vehicles to travel to polling stations, provided they carry only family members and do not transport other voters. Government and private offices, educational institutions, markets, religious gatherings, marriages and other social functions may continue to operate subject to the conditions specified in the order.
Approved candidate motorcades and vehicles authorised by the competent election authorities will also be permitted. Arrangements for drinking water at polling locations, as well as wheelchairs and other assistance for voters with disabilities, have been exempted from the restrictions.
The district administration said the prohibitory measures were intended to maintain law and order and ensure a free, fair and peaceful polling process without disrupting normal public life.
Violations of the order will invite action under Section 223 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), 2023.
The restrictions come ahead of the September 28 Village Committee elections, for which the State Election Commission has issued detailed polling arrangements for designated polling stations. FD JK