AGARTALA, Dec 9 (TIWN): Election of 19 out of 20 urban local bodies in Tripura began peacefully this morning with brisk polling across 657 booths in the state where about 92% voter Turnout reported. 24 lakh electorates will be deciding the fate of 886 candidates of different political parties. By-election to 15 village Panchayat seats and one each seat of Zila Parisad and Panchayat Samiti also started in 44 polling booths where about 20,000 voters were voting for 48 candidates.The ruling CPI-M in the state has already won all the 11 Wards of Jirania Nagar Panchayat in West district, six of the 11 Wards in Amarpur Nagar Panchayat in Gomati district and two of the 15-member Municipal Council of Khowai district without any contest. However, in elections to the 49 Wards of Agartala Municipal Corporation (AMC), the Opposition has put up candidates in all wards."Both Congress and BJP have put up 49 candidates each for the AMC polls while CPI-M has put up 42 candidates, CPI three, RSP two and Forward Block two candidates, 175 candidates are in the fray for AMC.

Altogether 5,37,968 voters, including 2,68,754 females, are entitled to cast their votes in the municipal elections through Electronic Voting Machines. Multiple voting booths across Tripura reported massive rigging by CPI-M cadres. State election commission Secretary Tamal Majumder spoke with TIWN at 7pm and informed that other than AMC areas overall voter turnouts stands at 88.9% approx. However as per latest reports at 8.30pm, final voter turnout stands at 88.24%.

Much against the demand of vote-festivity trumpeted by CPI-M, the casting for Civic poll started in Ambassa with the terror and rigging of the cadres.

Administration virtually collapsed before the hooliganism of CPI-M cadres.

CPI-M cadres started their tricks from the very beginning of voting in many Congress dominated booths across Tripura.

Massive Vote Riggging Pictures from Kamalpur - CPI-M cadres casting votes 

Ward No. 8  Polling centre: Kamalpur Govt. Class 12 School 

CPI-M cadre taking a voter to EVM machine/polling both in front of Presiding Officer at Kamalpur. TIWN Pic Dec 9

CPI-M cadre casting vote to EVM machine in front of Presiding Officer at Kamalpur. TIWN Pic Dec 9

CPI-M Kamalpur Local Committee Secretary Birendra Kairi remained busy in transportation of voters in violation of EC rules. TIWN Pic Dec 9

Many voters alleged that they could not cast their own votes due to CPI-M cadres threats.

Besides, violating all the rules and regulations, the CPI-M cadres and leaders gathered in front of booths across State.

Also many old voters were carried to the voting counters by the CPI-M cadres demanding them to vote for CPI-M.

As per sources in Election Commission, District HQs, so far at 7pm voter turnouts reported 88.9%, but as per EC sources at night 8.30pm final turnout stands at 88.24%.