Agartala, June 21 (TIWN): The Border Security Forces (BSF) in Tripura frontiers is likely to release 17 companies of the para-military troops for security in the coming three tier Panchayat election in the state. The state police authority recently consulted the BSF authorities and sought help to contribute additional forces in the panchayat polls following which the latter agreed to consider release of 17 training companies, official source said. The issue is yet to be finalized, the source added.

State Election Commission secretary Prasenjit Bhattacharya said later this evening that 10,135 candidates submitted nomination papers for gram panchayats across the state till latest reports came inon Saturday. 728 candidates filed nomination papers in different posts of Panchayat samities across the state; 201 candidates submitted nomination papers in different posts of eight Zilla Parishads across the state.

Bhattacharya added that eight nomination papers were submitted on Saturday against different seats of the by-election slated to be held concurrently alongwith Panchayat election on July 15.

Asked about preparation of the SEC to appoint election personnel, State Election Commissioner Yatendra Kumar said later today that the first phase of randomization was conducted on Saturday for poll personnel at Unakoti, Khowai, Dhalai, South Tripura and West Tripura district. The second round of randomization would be held 12 days ahead of polls.

Five hundred and ninety-one gram panchayats, 35 panchayat samities and eight Zilla Parishads of Tripura would undergo election on July 15 this year. Counting of votes would be held on July 18. The entire Panchayat poll process would be completed by July 27.

A total of 11,08,188 voters were enrolled in the final electoral rolls for the Panchayat polls announced earlier this year. The finally published electoral rolls for municipalities and other civic bodies scheduled to undergo polls this year pegged the figure of voters at 2,957.