Tight security for third phase poll in Bihar tomorrow

Air surveillance would be conducted by special task force commandos of Bihar police and DIG and Commissioner of Saran division during the poll, officials said.

Of the 48 constituencies, Ramnagar, Raghopur, Patepur and Valmikinagar have been identified as Maoist-hit where polling would be held between 7 am and 3 pm.
Director General of Police Neelmani said the Indo-Nepal borders with Raxaul, Balmikinagar and other areas in East and West Champaran districts, besides inter-state borders in Gopalganj and West Champaran districts with Uttar Pradesh, have been sealed with SSB personnel keeping a close watch.

Trained dogs have been engaged to assist the SSB on borders. Besides air surveillance, patrolling would be intensified with specific instructions to hold the exercise between polling stations, he said.

Most of the booths in the 48 constituencies spread over of East and West Champaran, Gopalganj, Siwan, Saran and Vaishali districts would be guarded by central para-military forces and armed police personnel from other states, Neelmani said.

Armed police personnel, including those from Bihar Military Police would be deployed in the rest of the booths.Bihar chief electoral officer S K Rakesh said "fool-proof" arrangements have been made for holding the polls tomorrow.

"We have also made arrangements for helping the physically and visually disabled voters to cast votes by making available ramps and braille EVMs," he said.

EC sources said over 48000 poll personnel have been put to action for smooth conduct of tomorrow's exercise.

The ruling NDA and RJD-LJP combine are locked in a neck-and-neck fight in these constituencies spread over the six districts. RJD is contesting 35 and its ally LJP 13.
The ruling JD(U) and BJP are contesting 24 seats each, while CPI has fielded its candidates in 10, CPI-M in five and CPI-ML (Liberation) in 16.

In the multi-cornered contest, Congress is in the fray in all 48 seats. BSP too is contesting in a number of constituencies.

An electorate of 1.03 crore, including 47.56 lakh women, will exercise their franchise at 10,804 booths to decide the fate of 785 candidates, including 65 women prominent among whom is Leader of the Opposition and former chief minister Rabri Devi.
She is contesting from Raghopur in Vaishali district and Sonepur in Saran district.