State election commission announces panchayat elections in Tripura

Tripura (Agartala) [India], July 10 (ANI): The State Election Commission of Tripura has officially announced the schedule for the General Elections to the Panchayats, set to take place in 2024. The term of the current Panchayati Raj Institutions (PRI) will expire on August 4, 2024, necessitating the formation of new PRI bodies before this date.
The elections will be conducted for various tiers of the Panchayat system, including Gram Panchayats, Panchayat Samitis, and Zilla Parishads. The election will cover 606 Gram Panchayats, 35 constituencies, and 8 sub-constituencies, with a total of 6,370 seats available. Additionally, 423 Panchayat Samiti seats and 116 Zilla Parishad seats will be contested.
The District Magistrates and Collectors across Tripura's eight districts have been appointed as District Election Officers, responsible for coordinating and supervising the election process. The Block Development Officers of 35 blocks have been designated as Electoral Registration Officers and Returning Officers for the election.
As per the electoral rolls, the total number of electors in all constituencies stands at 1,294,153, comprising 658,445 male voters, 635,697 female voters, and 11 others. The total number of polling stations finalized for this election is 2,650, distributed across all districts.
The filing of nominations will commence on July 11, 2024, and close on July 18, 2024. The scrutiny of nominations will take place on July 19, 2024, and the last date for the withdrawal of candidatures is July 22, 2024. Polling, if necessary, will occur on August 8, 2024, from 7:00 AM to 4:00 PM, with vote counting starting on August 12, 2024. The entire election process will be completed by August 17, 2024.
To ensure a free, fair, and peaceful election, compulsory voter identification will be enforced at polling stations, primarily through Elector Photo Identity Cards (EPIC). Alternative identification documents will also be accepted to prevent any voter from being deprived of their right to vote.
The State Election Commission has emphasised the importance of adherence to the Model Code of Conduct, effective immediately, to ensure the elections are conducted impartially. Meetings with political parties and law enforcement agencies have been held to prepare for the election, emphasizing security and law and order.
The Commission has called for the cooperation of all stakeholders, including the media, to ensure a smooth and transparent election process. (ANI)