Simultaneous polls will save Rs 80 cr 8211; Sankaran

Expressing apprehensions over holding elections during the monsoon for the first time, Sankaran said there were possibilities of inundation of roads and flooding of rivers in case of heavy rainfall in various parts of the state during the polling period. However, arrangements had been made to hold the elections in various schools and community centres to avoid problems occurring due to heavy rains, Sankaran said.

To a query on monitoring violation of code of conduct on the websites launched by various parties, he said that they had intimated the election commission and werewaiting for further instructions on the matter.

On security aspects, he said security has been stepped up in Naxal-infested areas of Chandrapur, Gadchiroli and Gondia.

Arrangements have also been made to deploy NCC cadets, ex-servicemen and home guards in metropolitan and urban areas in augmenting the security arrangements in various places near polling booths, he added.