[BREAKING] Tripura Polls : Secure Every Polling Booth With Sufficient CAPF Personnel, Directs Supreme Court

In view of the allegations of violence during the polling day(which is today) for local body elections in Tripura, the Supreme Court on Thursday directed the Home Secretary of Tripura Government, the State Election Commission and the Director General of Police to ensure that every polling booth is manned by sufficient strength of Central Armed Police Force(CAPF) personnel.

The Court also directed that the polling officers should take the help of the CAPF personnel in the event of any emergency.

The Court also directed that print and electronic media should have unhindered access to report the election, after being told by the counsel for Trinamool Congress that all polling booths did not not have CCTV cameras.

"It is important that both electronic and print media should have unhindered access for full reporting and coverage of the election process. Directions to effectuate this part of the order shall also be issued by the DGP and home secretary and the state election commission to all the polling officers and other concerned personnel on the ground", the Court noted in the order.

The Court was informed that there are 770 polling booths in the State.

A bench comprising Justices DY Chandrachud, Surya Kant and Vikram Nath further directed the DGP and Secretary to the Department of Home Affairs of Tripura to immediately assess the security situation and review the need for additional deployment of central forces.

The Court also directed the Union Ministry of Home Affairs to provide an additional two companies of CAPF at its discretion as expeditiously as possible having due regard that polling has already commenced. The Court also took on record the undertaking made by Solicitor General of India Tushar Mehta that the MHA will respond immediately to any requisition for additional battalion for central paramilitary forces made by the State Government.

The Court was apprised of the fact that as a result of the redeployment of two companies of the BSF last night, 128 personnel of the BSF are also stationed in addition to the force which is made available.

Click here to read/download the order