Lok Sabha polls in Tripura East constituency deferred from April 18 to April 23 due to security concerns

The Election Commission on Tuesday deferred the polling of the Lok Sabha elections in East Tripura constituency from April 18 to April 23, Tripura deputy CEO Suman Rakshit said. Earlier in the day, the Lok Sabha election to the Vellore constituency in Tamil Nadu was cancelled by the Election Commission (EC) two days ahead of the polling following recovery of huge amount of cash allegedly from an associate of a DMK leader recently.

A government notification rescinding the polls said the EC was "fully satisfied that the current electoral process in Vellore has been seriously vitiated on account of unlawful activities of certain candidates and some workers of the political party."

Perhaps, this is the first time election to a Lok Sabha constituency has been cancelled over use of money power. The byelection to RK Nagar Assembly seat in Tamil Nadu was cancelled in April 2017 following similar seizure of huge cash, allegedly meant for bribing voters.

The cancellation of the poll, scheduled for April 18 along with 38 other constituencies in the state, evoked sharp reactions from the DMK which alleged it was an attempt by Prime Minister Narendra Modi to "besmirch" the party using the Election Commission.