Prohibitory Orders Imposed in West Tripura Ahead of TTAADC Village Committee Polls
Sep 21, 2026
The District Magistrate and Collector of West Tripura, Dr Vishal Kumar, IAS, has imposed prohibitory orders across the district ahead of the General Election to the Village Committees under TTAADC, scheduled for September 28. The order, issued under Section 163 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023, will remain in force from 4 pm on September 26 to 6 am on September 29 and bars public gatherings, rallies and the movement of two or more vehicles together in poll bound areas.
According to the order, the State Election Commission, Tripura, in a letter dated September 9, had directed the district administration to issue prohibitory orders under Section 189 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023, Section 163 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023, and Section 126 of the Representation of the People Act, 1951.
The order states that strict vigil is required in poll bound areas to prevent illegal distribution of cash, gifts and liquor aimed at influencing voters. It also cites apprehension of illegal assembly and breach of peace by anti-social and criminal elements that could disrupt the polling process.
Under the order, gathering of five or more persons, with or without weapons or weapon like objects such as lathis, sticks, iron rods, bamboos and stones, has been prohibited across West Tripura District. Public meetings, rallies and public addresses, with or without loudspeakers, have also been banned anywhere within the district, including within 200 metres of any polling station.
The order further bars the movement of two or more motorbikes or vehicles together in any area, terming it a form of illegal assembly. On the day of polling, no person other than voters will be allowed to enter polling booths without a valid pass issued by the authorised election officer.
The administration clarified that the order is not meant to disrupt the daily life of citizens but to maintain peace and ensure a free and fair election in line with the guidelines of the State Election Commission of India.
However, the order lists several exemptions. These include polling personnel, police and CAPF on election duty, media persons with valid passes, drivers and cleaners engaged in election duty, and voters carrying valid identity cards moving to polling stations on foot or in personal vehicles. Voters travelling with family members outside the 200 metre periphery for voting purposes have also been exempted, provided they do not carry other voters.
Other exemptions include government employees and police personnel on routine duty, gatherings at educational institutions during the day, and routine functioning of government and private offices. Normal passenger transport that does not carry voters for the purpose of voting will also continue. Religious gatherings at prayer times, and social functions such as marriages and birthday ceremonies, have been permitted, provided no cash or gifts are distributed. Markets, mandis and routine business transactions will continue as usual, except gatherings of a political or criminal nature. Motorcars of candidates approved by Returning Officers, and persons providing drinking water to voters, have also been exempted. Voters with disabilities are to be provided wheelchairs or other assistance for voting.
The order states that anyone found violating the prohibitory order will be punished under Section 223 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023.
Owing to the emergent nature of the situation, the order has been issued ex-parte and is addressed to the public in general. It was issued under the hand and seal of the District Magistrate on September 25, 2026, and will remain in force from 4 pm on September 26 to 6 am on September 29.
