Over 55 per cent polling in Tripura

Over 55 per cent voters cast their votes till noon in East Tripura (ST) Lok Sabha constituency, election officials said here.

Nine EVMs malfunctioned in the early hours in some polling stations and were replaced immediately.

Women tribal voters outnumbered  menfolk in the polling booths in rural and hilly areas of the state, which is witnessing the second phase of polling.

Vendors made quick business selling tea and snacks near the polling centres.

Police said no untoward incident was recorded from any part of the constituency where security personnel were deployed.

The first phase of the polls in Tripura, which has two seats, was held on April 7.

There are 12 candidates in the fray including CPI(M)'s Jitendra Chowdhury, who is the state industries minister, Congress' Sachitra Debbarma, an educationist, BJP's Parkshit Debbarma, an ex-armyman, and Trinamool Congress leader Bhriguram Reang.

The CPI(M) had won the seat 11 out of 15 times between 1952 and 2009 and consecutively since 1996.