Tripura Seals Borders with Bangladesh, Assam and Mizoram From Today

AGARTALA: The authorities from the Election Commission of India have ordered the closure of the borders of the state of Tripura from Monday, ahead of the assembly polls in the state on February 16.

"The international border with Bangladesh and the inter-state boundaries with Assam and Mizoram will be sealed from Monday, following instruction from the Election Commission," mentioned the Chief Electoral Officer for Tripura, Gitte Kirankumar Dinkarrao on Sunday.

According to reports, this step has been taken in ensuring free and fair elections in Tripura. It also attempts to prevent bogus voting in the upcoming elections for the 60-seat Tripura assembly.

Mentioning about the steps taken by the Election Commission, the official state that the Border Security Force of India which has already been maintaining a strict vigil along the international border has been asked to seal the borders ahead of the upcoming elections. He added that the department will conduct checking operations in hostels, hotels and marriage halls from Monday to prevent bogus voting. He mentioned that "outsiders do stay in a particular area where he or she is not a voter".

It is important to note that Monday is the last day for poll campaigning in the state and all such activities have to end by 4 PM. The casing of votes through postal ballots will also get over on February 13. More than 56000 postal ballots were received till Sunday out of the total 65000 issued across the 60 assembly constituencies.

The state has seen one of the largest deployments of security forces ahead of the assembly elections. More than 43000 personnel have been posted on election duty to maintain the law and order in the state. Former chief minister and CPIM leader Manik Sarkar had voiced his concerns regarding the deployment of the forces across the state.

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