Elaborate security arrangements for local bodies elections

Patna, May 24 (UNI) Elaborate security arrangements have been made all over Bihar to ensure ''free and fair'' local bodies elections on May 26 and 29.

Elections to six municipal bodies, 42 local boards and 70 panchayats would be held on May 26, while more than three million electorate would exercise their franchise in Patna municipal corporation polls on May 29.

Altogether 6.2 million voters would cast their votes on both days, State Election Commision Secretary Raghubans Prasad Singh told UNI today.

Inspector General of Police (Headquarters) Anil Kumar Sinha here said necessary instructions had been issued to all district police superintendents to ensure fool proof security everywhere 'before, during and even after the polling'.

Round-the-clock vigil would be maintained in naxalites dominated districts, he confirmed.

More than 63000 jawans of Bihar military police, Special Auxiliary Police (SAP), armed police and Home Guards would be deployed to ensure free and fair poll, Mr Sinha said.

Moreover, he said, security forces along the Indo-Nepal border had been directed to remain on high alert to prevent entry of trouble- mongers from across the international border till the entire election process was over.

UNI