Voting for the three-tier Gram Panchayat elections in Tripura commenced on August 8, with a reported turnout of around 50% amidst tight security and minor incidents of intimidation. The ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has already secured over 71% of the seats uncontested, winning 4,550 out of 6,370 gram panchayat seats prior to the elections. Polling is taking place for the remaining 1,819 seats, with the BJP contesting in 1,818, while the Communist Party of India (Marxist) and Congress have fielded 1,222 and 731 candidates respectively. State Election Commissioner Saradindu Chaudhuri emphasized the deployment of over 10,000 security personnel to ensure a peaceful voting process. The counting of votes is scheduled for August 12. This election follows allegations of pre-poll violence and intimidation against opposition parties.