Elections for the West Tripura Lok Sabha constituency and by-elections for the Ramnagar assembly constituency were held in the first phase of the national elections on Friday. While the elections were largely peaceful, there were a few disturbances and allegations of malpractice.
Election officials said the voter turnout for both the Lok Sabha and assembly by-election is expected to exceed 75%, although the final tally has yet to be announced.
The CPI(M) and Congress, who are fighting the elections in Tripura under a seat-sharing arrangement, have alleged that their polling agents were prevented from entering booths in many places. A delegation from the INDIA block, including Congress Lok Sabha candidate Asish Kumar Saha and CPI(M) leader Pabitra Kar, met with the Chief Electoral Officer and the West Tripura Returning Officer to lodge a complaint against alleged malpractices and rigging in many places.
