West Tripura (Tripura) [India], April 20 (HBTV): Two elections officials in Tripura have been suspended allegedly for allowing election-related malpractices in the polling booths they were assigned in the West Tripura district. India conducted its first phase of voting for the Lok Sabha Elections 2024 on Friday. 

According to Returning Officer West Tripura, Dr. Vishal Kumar, the suspended polling officers were posted in a polling station in the jurisdiction of Ramanagar assembly constituency. 

Kumar informed that the first phase of the Lok Sabha elections was held in the West parliamentary constituency, along with the by-poll in the 7-Ramnagar Assembly Constituency.    

"Belonia sub-division of South district recorded the highest voting percentage with 85.64 casting. In 7-Ramnagar Assembly Constituency where the by-elections were conducted simultaneously with general elections, the voting percentage was lowest, with 68.64 percent," he said.      

On the complaints raised by different political parties, the senior official said, "We have received some complaints from the political parties but in most of the cases, we couldn't verify the allegations true after response teams reached the spot,’ the officials said.      

‘Some reports of intimidation, threats and poll malpractices were also received. In most of the cases, the complaints turned out to be false. Some arrests were made in Mohanpur constituency and some people were put under preventive arrests in Ramanagar assembly constituency.’

The returning officer said two polling officials were suspended as the CCTV cameras in their polling station were found to be out of operation.   

"During our inspection, we found that the CCTVs were out of operation and outsiders were allowed to enter the polling station with voters. In view of this, two polling officials have been suspended. The whole process is being reviewed properly," he added.

(ANI) This is a syndicated news feed. HBTV has edited it for clarity.