In a first of its kind exercise to ensure that the elections are conducted in a free and fair manner, the Election Commission has decided to deploy Central paramilitary forces at all 62,779 polling st
In a first of its kind exercise to ensure that the elections are conducted in a free and fair manner, the Election Commission has decided to deploy Central paramilitary forces at all 62,779 polling stations during the five-phase Bihar Assembly polls.
Additionally, 323 observers — 243 general observers and 80 expenditure observers — will also be deployed during the poll process. “All polling stations in Bihar will be covered by Central armed police forces. Not even a single polling station will be left. It has never happened before. It is going to be the first time that Central forces will be deployed at all booths in the state,” election commissioner O.P. Rawat told agencies.
He said the state police force and home guards will be used for maintaining queues and other works.
There will be 62,779 polling stations in Bihar for the five-phase Assembly polls beginning October 12. The decision to deploy Central forces has been taken after due consultation with all the parties.
“When the Commission had gone to Bihar, all parties told us that no matter in how many phases you conduct the polls, but for peaceful and objective poll Central forces should be deployed at every poll booth,” Mr Rawat said.
“There will be 80 expenditure observers. General observer will be one in every constituency. So there will be 243 general observers,” he said.
On the black money issue, Mr Rawat said strict checks will be done by the officials to check such malpractice. “Our concern is that candidates are spending within their limit and code of conduct is adhered to. You cannot allure voters. We have given all instructions. Airports or bus depots, wherever movement of money is there, checking needs to be done,” the election commissioner said.
He said the Commission will be effectively dealing with the issue of hate speeches. “Doing such a thing is an offence. You must have seen that action has been taken whenever such incidents happen. Peaceful polls can only happen when you keep an eye on such things. That no one talks anything to incite people or disrupt communal harmony,” Mr Rawat said.
