Vote counting for the Village Committee elections across tribal areas in Tripura commenced at 8 am on Monday across all 44 designated counting centres. Polling across 587 Village Committees in the northeastern state's eight districts was held on September 28, registering an overall voter turnout of 81 per cent. Authorities have placed extensive security arrangements across counting locations to ensure the process remains peaceful.
Ballot Paper Counting Expected to Take Up to Two Days in Major Blocks
State Election Commission Secretary Anurag Sen indicated that because voting took place using physical ballot papers, the counting exercise is expected to take substantial time. Sen noted that in extensive rural development blocks, such as Manu in Dhalai district, tallying the ballots could take up to two days. He added that election authorities have deployed all necessary measures to complete the counting process as swiftly and smoothly as possible.
Prohibitory Orders in Gomati District Following Polling Day Violence
Security forces have heightened vigilance across tribal belts, with administration in Gomati district enforcing prohibitory orders under Section 163 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS). These restrictions were imposed after a firing incident occurred at Warengbari on polling day, which left a Tipra Motha Party (TMP) candidate injured. Security personnel remain on high alert around vulnerable counting venues.
Contest for 2,950 Seats Involving 8,176 Candidates
Across the 587 Village Committees comprising 4,597 total seats, active polling was conducted for 2,950 seats. The remaining 1,644 seats were decided uncontested in favour of candidates from the TMP and the BJP. A total of 8,176 contenders representing key political factions, including the TMP, BJP, CPI(M), Congress, and the Indigenous People's Front of Tripura (IPFT), are in the fray.
Political Implications for TTAADC and the 2028 State Assembly Race
These local results are closely tracked because the Tripura Tribal Areas Autonomous District Council (TTAADC) encompasses roughly two-thirds of Tripura's geographical expanse and holds 20 of the state's 60 Legislative Assembly seats. TMP, a partner in the state's BJP-led ruling alliance, previously secured 24 out of 28 seats during the tribal council polls in April. While TMP and BJP contested the TTAADC elections independently, they joined hands under the NDA banner for these village committee polls, making the outcome a critical political test ahead of the 2028 Assembly elections.
