The Election Commission of India (EC) on Wednesday declared polling across 168 booths of Tripura West parliamentary constituency as void and ordered a re-polling on May 12 along with the sixth phase of the Lok Sabha elections 2019.

“After taking all material circumstances into account, the Election Commission declared under Sub-Sections (2) of Section 58 of the Representation of the People Act, 1951 that the polling on April 11, 2019, at 168 polling stations in 1-Tripura West parliamentary constituency against the assembly segments to be void and appoints May 12 as the date and fix hours from 7 am to 5 pm for taking a fresh poll,” an official statement said.

While polling was held in the concerned Tripura booths on April 11, the Congress and CPI(M) had lodged complaints of misconduct and rigging in the elections held in West Tripura constituency.

Both the parties accused the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) of misconduct- booth capturing and intimidation-and demanded re-polling in the constituency, reported news agency IANS.

Reports also emerged that Congress and CPI(M) were planning to move SC in case EC fails to order fresh polls or re-polling across 50 per cent booths in the constituency.

The EC has directed the state’s Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) to ensure wide publicity is given in the polling areas and directed the official to inform political parties about the fresh polling.

Meanwhile, 15 additional companies of paramilitary forces have also been deployed for re-polling in the Tripura West parliamentary constituency.

“On the advice of the Election Commission (EC), the Ministry has deployed 11 companies of the Border Security Force and four of the Central Reserve Police Force,” the official told IANS on the condition of anonymity.

Earlier, polling in East Tripura parliamentary constituency was also deferred from the second phase, held on April 18, to the third phase of Lok Sabha elections 2019 on April 23.