JOIN USIt's do or die for two camps in Bihar
At least five helicopters and more than 1,20,000 security personnel would be deployed to ensure free and fair polling during the fourth phase of Bihar elections, where voting will take place in 55 constituencies on Sunday.
The elections, spread over seven districts – East Champaran, West Champaran, Sheohar, Sitamarhi, Muzaffarpur, Gopalganj and Siwan — assume significance in the sense that these areas are considered to be strongholds of the BJP, as lotus had bloomed in 26 out of the 55 constituencies in 2010 Assembly polls.
Even during 2014 Lok Sabha elections, the NDA had maintained its lead in 53 out of the 55 constituencies.
The fourth phase election is a do-or-die battle for Grand Alliance too if it wants to stop the NDA march. These constituencies, sharing border with Nepal (in the north) and Uttar Pradesh (in the west) have been witnessing a fierce poll battle as RJD is contesting on 26 seats while the JD(U) and Congress are in the fray in 21 and eight seats respectively.
Security
Making elaborate security arrangements, the Election Commission has ordered to seal borders with Nepal and Uttar Pradesh so that no infiltration takes place during polling.
On previous occasions, Maoists from Nepal had entered into Bihar territory and hampered voting. CRPF IG Arun Kumar personally monitored the arrangements and visited Gopalganj and Siwan (which shares border with UP) and Champaran and Sitamarhi (which shares border with Nepal). Polling in 12 Maoist-hit constituencies will be held from 7 am to 4 pm, against the normal voting hours till 5 pm.