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1,048 polling stations identified as �critical� in Nagaland

By Correspondent

DIMAPUR, Jan 20 - Out of 2,194 polling stations for upcoming Nagaland Assembly election, 1048 have been identified as critical, 519 vulnerable and 627 normal, Nagaland Chief Electoral Officer Abhijit Sinha said.

Asserting that his department has taken several measures to ensure smooth conduct of poll, the CEO told newspersons in Kohima that the Centre has agreed to deploy 273 companies of CRPF which will assist the State Armed Police and District Executive Force. Out of 273 companies of CRPF, 30 are expected to reach the State by February 5 and the rest will follow after Tripura election.

Sinha informed that all polling stations will be manned by CRPF while State Police will look after security and Assam Rifles will provide environmental security. Also all polling stations will be under surveillance of CCTVs, videography and digital cameras, he said, adding that additional CCTVs will be installed at important border check posts and static check points for effective monitoring and surveillance.

Security will also beefed up along the State boundaries and international border to check unwanted elements and militants, he said. Sinha also informed that a total of 11,89,264 electorate in the State are eligible to exercise their franchise.

He said Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) and Voter Verifiable Paper Audit Trail (VVPAT) will be used in the polling stations to enhance transparency of the poll.

Sinha said an electronically transmitted postal ballot system has also been implemented in the State so as to ensure all service voters can exercise their franchise.

Model code: Sinha also said the EC has made elaborate arrangements for ensuring implementation of Model Code of Conduct for the election.

The CEO held a meeting with all political parties of the State in Kohima on Saturday to discuss and inform them about the Model Code and other election related matters.

He informed the parties that the Model Code has come into force with immediate effect after the declaration of election schedule. A candidate is allowed to spend Rs 20 lakh in election expenditure related matters, he said.

The CEO also stated that any person carrying cash of more than Rs 50,000 should have proper documents for what purpose he/she intends to spend the amount. Further any person carrying Rs 10 lakh or more should be brought to the notice of the Income Tax Department.

As per directives of ECI, there will be general, police and expenditure observers besides flying squads in all the districts, he said.

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