Hours after the Election Commission postponed polling in the parliamentary constituency of Tripura East from April 18 to April 23, the EC also transferred Additional Director General (Law & Order) of Tripura Police Rajiv Singh citing “several incidents regarding law and order failure”.

Indian Express reports: “In a letter to Tripura Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) Sriram Taranikanti, ECI Secretary Arvind Anand wrote, ‘…several incidents regarding law and order failure were reported to the Commission in the run-up to the elections in Tripura. The Commission had considered the matter and reviewed the law & order situation in Tripura.” The letter also directed VS Yadav, an IPS officer of 1987 cadre, “to be posted as Special Director General (Law & Order) of Tripura Police in place of ADG Rajiv Singh with immediate effect”.

Polling was deferred in Tripura East after reports from Special Police Observers noted “that the circumstances were not conducive for holding free and fair elections in the constituency”. It cited the “prevailing law and order situation”. NDTV reports: “The returning officer had feared that “miscreant elements” may thwart the polling process in the constituency. Based on the ground and intelligence reports, he had requested for additional central police force…”