<span style="color: #222222;">A total of 259 candidates are in the fray for the approaching Tripura Assembly election on the 16th of February. Today was the day of withdrawal of candidature.<br />''<br />'' Addressing a press conference in Agartala this evening, Chief Electoral Officer, Mr. Kiran Gitte said that 32 candidates today withdrew their nominations, leaving 259 candidates in the fray.<br />''<br />''With the withdrawal of candidature, it has now become amply clear as to who is pitted against whom for the all-crucial election to the 60-seat Tripura Legislative Assembly on the 16th of this month. <br />''<br />''Chief Electoral Officer, Kiran Gitte said that the election symbols for all the valid candidates were given yesterday by the election commission. <br />''<br />''He said from next week onwards postal ballot procedure will begin. Ballot papers will be printed and they will be handed over to all the returning officers. <br />''<br />''In all 23 sub-divisions, the voting procedure will begin on the 8th of this month. Election personnel and service voters will be given postal ballots to exercise their right to franchise. <br />''<br />''In addition to this, the election department also has made arrangements for the casting of votes for the old-aged and disabled persons at their homes. </span>