EC shifts 167 polling stations in Chhattisgarh to ‘safer’ areas
7 Nov 2013 12:00 AM GMT
Apprehension of Naxal attacks has prompted the Election Commission to relocate 167 polling stations in Chhattisgarh to safer areas.
Locals as well as state government had made requests for shifting of polling stations from the interiors to safer places with local poll officials supporting them.
‘We have acceded to the demand for shifting polling stations to safer areas to ensure free and fair polls and ensure safety and security of voters and poll staff,’ a senior EC official said.
The Commission has asked the chief electoral officer in Chhattisgarh to shift the 167 polling booths situated in the interiors of the state to ensure safety of voters as well as poll officials.
All the booths are located in Naxal-infested districts of Bastar, Dantewada, Korba, Bijapur, all of which will go to polls in the first phase of election in Chhattisgarh on 11 November.
Naxals have already threatened to disrupt polls and asked voters, especially in tribal areas not to exercise their franchise.
The team of top poll officials including the Chief Election Commissioner and other Election Commissioners were also informed about the issue during their visit to the state.
Locals as well as state government had made requests for shifting of polling stations from the interiors to safer places with local poll officials supporting them.
‘We have acceded to the demand for shifting polling stations to safer areas to ensure free and fair polls and ensure safety and security of voters and poll staff,’ a senior EC official said.
The Commission has asked the chief electoral officer in Chhattisgarh to shift the 167 polling booths situated in the interiors of the state to ensure safety of voters as well as poll officials.
All the booths are located in Naxal-infested districts of Bastar, Dantewada, Korba, Bijapur, all of which will go to polls in the first phase of election in Chhattisgarh on 11 November.
Naxals have already threatened to disrupt polls and asked voters, especially in tribal areas not to exercise their franchise.
The team of top poll officials including the Chief Election Commissioner and other Election Commissioners were also informed about the issue during their visit to the state.
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