JOIN USAnnouncing the poll schedule on Friday Chief Election Commissioner Navin Chawla said counting for all the 81 constituencies would be on December 23. The State had been under President’s rule since January 19 this year and a government has to be in place before January 18 next.
Strongly defending the much-controversial EVMs Chawla said the EVMs were tamper-proof and these would be used for Jharkhand polls also. The dates for subsequent phases are December 2, 8, 12 and 18 and the entire election process should be complete by December 31.
Explaining the long gap between the completion of the last phase of elections and the date of counting the CEC said it was due to particular security reasons affecting the state.
Referring to deployment of security personnel for the Naxal-infested areas, Chawla said based on the assessment of the ground situation Central Police Forces and State Armed Police drawn from other states would be deployed during polls. Observers would also be deployed to ensure smooth conduct of elections, Chawla said.