In a first, central paramilitary forces will be deployed at all 62,779 polling stations during the 5-phase Bihar assembly polls, the Election Commission said today.
Besides, as many as 323 observers--243 general observers and 80 expenditure observers-- will be deployed to check flow of illegal money and to ensure that the elections are conducted in free and fair manner.
Also, solar lamps will be used at polling stations so the power cuts do not affect the exercise in the state, which faces frequent power outages and erratic supply.
"100 per cent polling stations in Bihar to 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 in all the booths," Election Commissioner O P Rawat told PTI.
He said state police forces and home guards would 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," Rawat said.
The expenditure monitoring system has been very well planned. Our expenditure monitors reach there on the day of nominations. Videography team will also be there. They will also keep a shadow expenditure register to ensure that the expenditure is within permissible limit, the Election Commissioner said.
"There will be 80 expenditure observers. General observer will be one in every constituency. So there will be 243 general observers," he said.
