The Election Commission of India is expected to announce the poll schedule for the by-polls in four Assembly constituencies soon. Commenting on the issue, Chief Electoral Officer of Tripura Kiran Gitte said that the first seat in the Assembly fell vacant on January 4 last – so the election process needed to be completed within July 04 next. We have two months of time in hand.
Meantime, Tripura Pradesh Congress along with AICC leaders will meet the ECI and raise demand for a free and fair election in the State.
Speaking to the media on Sunday, Tripura Pradesh Congress president Birajit Sinha said, “I am going to New Delhi today. Schedule for the by-polls may be announced any time. State Congress will knock the door of the ECI for ensuring by-polls smooth and free so that people can exercise their democratic rights without any fear”.
In this connection Sinha alleged Lok Sabha and Urban Body Polls were not free and fair as people could not cast their votes.
“People, especially supporters were prevented to go to Polling stations and cast their votes during the Lok Sabha and Urban Body Polls. There were many instances in which ruling party supporters intimated and stopped the Polling agents of the Opposition Parties. During the Urban Body Polls, ruling party activists were indulged in large-scale rigging”, Sinha alleged.
In reference to previous instance, he said, “We along with the AICC leaders will meet the ECI and produce documentary evidences of incidences that occurred in the past”, Sinha said.
On another note, Sinha said candidate selection for by-polls is yet to be done. “Let the poll schedule be announced, we will sit together and send a list to Delhi. After obtaining approval from Delhi, we will announce the name of candidates”, he commented.
