All eyes on Northeaste: Counting today in Nagaland, Tripura, Meghalaya

The Border Security Force (BSF) personnel have been deployed along the India-Bangladesh border, besides the state police and Tripura State Rifles on vigil to ensure the smooth counting of votes in the state on Saturday. Counting will also take place in Meghalaya and Nagaland.

“Adequate security arrangements have been made in the 20 places where counting will take place. We have deputed senior police officers for overseeing arrangements. Measures have been taken for the safety and security of the candidates. The BSF has been alerted, and they will continue their vigil along the border. We would like to appeal to all to maintain peace and calm,” Tripura Chief Electoral Officer, Sriram Taranikanti, said.

Counting would begin from 8 am in all the three Northeastern states amid tight security, Election Commission officials said.

The BJP has emerged as a strong contender in all the three states and two exit polls have predicted that the party would dethrone the 25-year-old Left Front government in Tripura and consolidate its position in the other two states.

While the Congress has been ruling Meghalaya for 10 years, the Naga People’s Front has been in power in Nagaland since 2003, except for a three-month period of President’s rule in …read more