Agartala, April 08, 2026: Polling personnel on Wednesday started leaving for their assigned polling stations under strict security arrangements for the by-election to Tripura’s 56-Dharmanagar Assembly constituency, where voting is scheduled on April 9.

The by-election has been necessitated after the death of former MLA and Assembly Speaker Biswa Bandhu Sen, with six candidates contesting the seat.

Returning Officer Debjani Chowdhury said the dispatch of polling teams is being carried out with logistical support and special arrangements for smooth conduct of the election.

“Help desks and dedicated counters have been opened for polling personnel. Officials are stationed to provide assistance wherever required. There are 11 model polling stations and 11 women-managed polling stations, for which separate pink counters have been arranged. First aid kits have also been supplied, along with all election materials and mobile deposit boxes,” she said.

District Election Officer and District Magistrate Chandni Chandran said the dispersal centre has been set up at Dharmanagar Government Girls’ Higher Secondary School, from where polling teams began departing from 8 am.

“More than 14 teams have already left in the morning, and we expect the entire dispatch process to be completed by the afternoon. Polling teams will also supervise CCTV arrangements at their respective booths. We urge all concerned to cooperate in ensuring a peaceful, free and fair election,” she said.

Referring to the cyclone warning, she said the administration had reviewed preparedness measures and alerted personnel of Tripura State Rifles and SDRF for any contingency.

North District Superintendent of Police Avinash Rai said security deployment has been strengthened across all polling locations.