Nearly 88 per cent of voting was recorded in the one-day Tripura assembly elections, which were "largely peaceful", a senior EC official said. The elections to the 60-member assembly were held across the northeastern state.
"In the assembly elections, which continued until 8.30 or 9 p.m. on Thursday, an average of 87.63% of eligible voters cast ballots. The amount didn't include the number of ballots cast via mail," Subhasish Bandhopadhyay, the additional CEO, told reporters.
Of the total 28,14,000 voters, over 24,66,000 have exercised their franchise, he said. The Manu assembly seat in South Tripura achieved the highest voting percentage at 92.09, while the Town Bardowali assembly constituency recorded the lowest voter participation at 80%, where Chief Minister Manik Saha is running against Congress nominee Asish Kumar Saha.
"The polling was largely peaceful, barring a few incidents in some areas. Five people were injured and six were arrested based on five specific FIRs during the polling day," Inspector General (IG) police G K Rao told media.
Rajib Bhattacharjee, the state president of the BJP, hailed the security forces and the Election Commission for guaranteeing "free and fair" and "peaceful" elections and congratulated voters for participating in the process.
The CPI(M) and the Congress also thanked electors for participating in the elections.