Multi mode communication to be used in tribal elections: CEO

Shimla, Nov 6 (UNI) Multi mode communication network will be used extensively during the first phase of elections in the three tribal constituencies of Kinnuar, Lahaul Spiti and Bharmaur that go to the polls on November 14, state's Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) Manisha Nanda said.

Besides landline and mobile phones, wireless communication network of the state police and satellite phones would also be put to use in the first phase of polling, she told reporters here.

"Telephone service providers have also been told to provide congestion free network in the tribal belt during the first phase of elections," said Ms Nanda.

"The commission has also chalked out an alternate strategy to ensure polling in the three tribal seats on November 14 though the data collected from the meteorological office indicates that weather would not play the spoilsport," she said.

"Besides keeping a helicopter on a standby, the Himachal Pradesh Government has also been told to keep all the 43 helipads ready for use during any exigency." For the first time, the police personnel deployed at the polling booths would be allowed to use their personal mobile phones during the polling and they would be reimbursed, the CEO said.

She said 42 wireless links already exist in the tribal areas and in all 298 stations would be working round-the-clock to provide an efficient and stable communication network.

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