Over 87% polling recorded in by-election for Manu assembly seat in Tripura

AGARTALA: By-election for Manu (ST) assembly seat in Tripura passed off peacefully today with record heavy turnout.

Joint Chief Electoral Officer( JCEO) Debasish Modak said "Though the exact figure is yet to be available, roughly over 87% voters exercised their franchise peacefully.

People stood in long and serpentine queues from the morning, but not a single case of violence was recorded from any part of the constituency," Modak told PTI.

The seat fell vacant after former minister Jitendra Chowdhury was elected to the Lok Sabha.

Strict security measures were taken and the Indo-Bangla border was sealed for peaceful polls, Tripura Chief Electoral Officer, Ashutosh Jindal said.

Central paramilitary forces including CRPF were patrolling in the constituency, while BSF was put on maximum alert, he said.

He said a total 46 polling stations were set up, 230 polling personnel and 38 micro observers were appointed for electioneering.

38,843 voters including 18,929 female voters were eligible to exercise their franchise.

Six candidates are in the fray for the seat but the main contest would be between ruling CPI-M candidate Prabhat Chowdhury and opposition Congress nominee Mailafru Mog.

BJP fielded Nirmal Kumar Tripura and TMC fielded Angthai Mog as their candidates. The rest two are independents.