EC to despatch additional forces to Assam, Bihar

Key constituencies like Madhepura, where RJD chief Laloo Prasad Yadav is pitted against JD U president Sharad Yadav, will now be provided with extra security, he said adding every polling station will have security personnel in the constituency.

Pani said additional forces have also been sent to Amethi parliamentary constituency where Congress president Sonia Gandhi is contesting.

Stating that the northeastern region was causing concern to the EC, he said the commission was in constant touch with the home ministry for the smoothconduct of the polls.

8220;We have been able to mobilise a little extra force with the cooperation of states where the poll process had already been completed,8221; Pani said.

Pani said more than 13 crore voters are eligible to exercise their franchise in 118 parliamentary constituencies spread over 11 states on October three. A total of 1,087 candidates, including 63 women, are contesting in the last phase of polling, he added.

Polling in outer Manipur and Anantnag constituency in Jammu and Kashmir would be held on October four.

Polling to Dhubri parliamentary seat in Assam and four Lok Sabha constituencies 8212; Purnea, Rajmahal, Bhagalpur and Khagaria in Bihar 8212; will be held on October 28, he said adding repoll, if any, in the five parliamentary constituencies would be held on October 30. Counting in these five seats will be taken up on November one.