Election Commission concerned about Tripura law & order situation

GUWAHATI: The Election Commission of India (ECI), led by Chief Election Commissioner A K Jyoti, has expressed serious concern over the prevailing law and order situation in Tripura.

EC directed Tripura Chief Secretary Sanjeev Ranjan and Director General of Police A K Shukla to initiate action on that front.

The Left Front-ruled state is going to assembly polls early next year. The full bench of ECI reviewed election preparedness in Tripura.

The state has witnessed the murder of two journalists in last two months, besides frequent clashes between supporters of Left Front and BJP.

CEC Jyoti said, "The killing of journalists is a matter of concern. We directed the state government to improve the situation and ensure a peaceful environment."

Names of over 28,000 duplicate, false and dead voters have been removed after a summary revision of voter list, Jyoti said.

The final electoral roll is scheduled to be out on January 5. BJP has been demanding an intensive revision of the roll. According to draft electoral roll, Tripura has 25.05 Lakh voters.

CPI(M) has suggested that the polls be held before March next year to avert a clash with state board exams.

Jyoti said, "Political parties have sought early deployment of Central Armed Police Force to facilitate confidence-building measures."

The 2013 assembly polls in the state had witnessed record voter turnout of over 93 per cent.