Manipur elections under massive security net: CEC

Imphal, Jan 4 (UNI) Chief Election Commissioner N Gopalaswami today said there could be a slight change in the poll schedule in Manipur and announced that the assembly elections, scheduled for February, would be held under a tight security cover.

Speaking to mediapersons here, the CEC said additional security personnel would be sent to Manipur for the elections.

''There might be a change in the election schedule as the second day of voting, on February 15, coincides with the Manipur festival,'' he said.

The CEC said the date of the second phase would be announced after he reached New Delhi. ''In all probability, it might be held on February 14. Therefore, the elections would be held on February 8, 14 and 23,'' he said.

The CEC said that security would be beefed up but did not mention the exact number of security personnel to be deployed in the state.

''About five helicopters would be brought for the elections. All the polling stations will be provided with armed security personnel,'' he said.

Twice the number of security personnel used in the 2002 polls in the state would be deployed, he said.

For the 60 assembly consituencies, there would be 30 election observers.

The final list of voters has been published, the CEC said. The total number of voters is 16,87,543, of which 8.72 lakh are female.

A total of 17,000 voters' name had been deleted from the list.

Based on the threat perception, the candidates would be provided security, he said.

''All the election officials would be selected randomly and deputed so that there could be no complaints of favouritism.

Security would be provided to the voters of Jiribam sub-division where the people have threatened to boycott elections to demand full district status for the subdivision,'' the CEC stated.

Mr Gopalaswami said he has also discussed the security and polling arrangements with the political parties and other state government officials.

The Manipur Chief Secretary has been asked to energise the communications facilities across the state in view of the elections.

UNI