By Firstdespatch Desk Apr 12, 2026
Agartala, Apr 12 (FD) Voting for the Tripura Tribal Areas Autonomous District Council (TTAADC) elections commenced on Sunday across all 28 constituencies under stringent security arrangements, marking a crucial democratic exercise in the state. Polling began at 7:00 AM and is scheduled to continue until 4:00 PM, covering 1,257 polling stations equipped with Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs).
A total of 9,62,697 registered voters are eligible to participate in this election, which will determine the political future of 173 candidates. The electorate comprises 4,82,025 male voters, 4,80,666 female voters, and six voters from the third-gender category. Notably, nearly 97 percent turnout had already been recorded in postal ballots, raising expectations of an overall high voter participation.
According to early data released by the State Election Commission, voter enthusiasm was evident from the outset. Between 7:00 AM and 9:00 AM, approximately 2,04,679 votes were cast out of 9,51,613 voters, indicating an initial turnout of around 21–22 percent. Female participation slightly outpaced male turnout, signaling a positive trend in gender engagement in the electoral process.
Despite an overall smooth start, initial disruptions were reported due to EVM malfunctions in select locations. At Bodhjungnagar’s Wakinagar area near Holy Cross College, voting was delayed as the machine failed before polling began, leaving voters waiting in long queues. A similar technical glitch was reported at Purba Dhanbari Senior Basic School under the Ampinagar constituency. However, election officials acted swiftly, replacing faulty machines before 8:00 AM, ensuring minimal disruption.
Meanwhile, political tensions surfaced in the Amtali–Golaghati constituency. Kanuraj Debbarma alleged that polling agents of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) were denied entry into certain polling stations, raising concerns over transparency and fairness. Authorities have assured that such complaints are being investigated promptly.
To maintain law and order, additional police forces and central paramilitary personnel have been deployed across sensitive and vulnerable areas. Officials confirmed that, apart from isolated technical issues and minor allegations, polling remained largely peaceful during the initial hours.
Constituency-wise trends indicate strong early turnout in regions such as Katalia–Mirja–Rajapur, Machmara, and parts of the Chawmanu and Teliamura belt, where participation ranged between 23 and 25 percent. In contrast, northern constituencies like Dasda–Kanchanpur reported slightly lower turnout, averaging around 20 percent.
The TTAADC elections hold significant political importance, as they will shape governance and development policies in the tribal autonomous regions of Tripura for the coming term. Election authorities continue to monitor the process closely to ensure a free, fair, and transparent electoral outcome. FD SB