AGARTALA: The Christian bodies in Tripura have expressed their disappointment over the dates of the upcoming Tripura Tribal Areas Autonomous District Council (TTAADC) polls scheduled to be held on Easter Day (April 4).
The state election commission on Wednesday announced that elections for the TTAADC would be held on April 4.
The community has appealed to the Tripura Election Commission to reschedule the TTAADC polls as it clashes with Easter Sunday.
Father Joseph Pulinthanath, spokesperson of Diocese of Agartala explaining the importance of the day stated that Easter Sunday is the culmination of the weeklong obligatory observance of faith for all Christians around the world. Hence the scheduled date of polls i.e 4th April falls on an important day that would certainly hamper their wholehearted participation in the electoral process.
Objecting to the date of the election the United Christian Forum for Human Rights also appealed for rescheduling the poll. "April 4th this year happens to be on Sunday and it is the feast day for Christians. We celebrate on that day the 'EASTER DAY'(resurrection of Jesus Christ). We want to register our objection to the declared date (April 4) and request you to kindly change the date," said a release issued by the forum.
Leaders across political lines have also expressed their disappointment over the election dates and have urged the State Election Commission SEC to respect and consider the sentiments of the community and reschedule the dates.
Reportedly, the SEC secretary Prasenjit Bhattacharya has informed that the poll body is yet to receive any letter on the issue regarding the request of rescheduling the date of the TTAADC elections.
The five-year tenure of the TTAADC expired on May 17, 2020. Thereafter the Governor's rule was imposed for a period of six months which was later extended for another six months on November 17. The TTAADC is governed by a council of 30 seats, while 28 seats are filled electorally and the remaining two are reserved for nominated members.