Tripura Village Poll Delay: Supreme Court Seeks Centre’s Response on Security Forces

The Bench of Justices Manoj Misra and Manmohan examined the status of election preparedness and security arrangements after the State Election Commission earlier informed the Court that the elections would be held by June 2026.

During the hearing, Solicitor General Tushar Mehta urged the Court to trust the Election Commission as a constitutional authority. “I don’t see any reason for your lordship to not trust a coordinate constitutional body,” Mehta submitted.

He argued that while the Court could monitor the process and direct deployment of forces, judicial intervention in election scheduling should be approached cautiously.

The Court, however, pointed out that the State Election Commission itself appeared ready to proceed with the elections. “State Election Commission is ready to conduct elections,” the Bench observed.

“Correct,” Mehta responded, though he added that the Commission’s affidavit suggested that the earlier proposed timeline may not be feasible because of prevailing conditions.

The Bench then expressed concern over the vague nature of the reasons cited in the affidavit. “This is very vague, it says when it is conducive to hold for lack of security,” the Court remarked.

“And weather related reasons,” the Bench added.

Appearing for the State Election Commission, the Attorney General submitted that the Commission had consistently indicated its willingness to conduct the polls despite the challenges. “We have indicated even in the last hearing. Regardless of the issues, we said let’s go ahead,” he told the Court.

Mehta, however, reiterated that the affidavit referred to concerns relating to law and order and weather conditions, which were local issues best assessed by the Election Commission.

The Court thereafter examined the compliance affidavit filed pursuant to its earlier order dated March 18.

It noted that the State Election Commission had sought deployment of 136 companies of paramilitary forces from the Central Government to ensure peaceful conduct of elections. However, only 24 companies had reportedly been provided earlier for State Council elections.

The Bench further recorded that the State Home Department had written to the Ministry of Home Affairs on May 11, 2026 seeking deployment of 134 companies of Central Armed Police Forces (CAPFs).

However, the Court observed that the affidavit did not clarify whether the Centre had accepted the request. “It is not clear from the affidavit whether the request has been accepted by the Central Government,” the Court noted.

The Bench also took note of the Election Commission’s statement that steps had already been initiated to conduct the Village Committee elections “as early as June 28.”

At the same time, the Commission had sought liberty to hold elections when conditions became conducive for free and fair polls, particularly after improvement in the law-and-order situation.

Observing that the Election Commission had already taken “strategic preliminary steps” toward holding the elections, the Court said the process could be completed once adequate security arrangements were made.

The matter has now been posted for hearing on May 28. The Court directed the Central Government to place on record the steps taken regarding the request for deployment of CAPFs.

The hearing ended on a lighter note when Solicitor General Mehta recited an Urdu couplet in court after the intense exchange. The Bench responded humorously, saying, “But you should get some instructions which would actually make us smile.”