Bhutan mock election-security alert on India-Bhutan border

Siliguri, May 28 (UNI) Security has been tightened in this North Bengal city in view of the mock elections in Bhutan today.

The Sashastra Seema Bal (SSB) and West Bengal Police have jointly cordoned off the border areas.

Sub-Divisional Officer of Alipurduar, Jalpaiguri district, Prabhu Dutta David told UNI that the SSB and police, with senior officials, have been deployed across the border in several sectors.

Police were keeping extra vigil at Jaigaon, Kumargram and Madarihat border areas to prevent any disturbances.

All business organisations and market complexes here remained closed today. The government also declared a ''dry day''.

Meanwhile, people in Bhutan were excited about the first upcoming election in their country.

Earlier, one such mock election was also held on April 21.

However, this would be the final such trial poll, according to the election commission of Bhutan.

The real election date will be finalised after this, said an officer of Election Commission in Bhutan.

He said Assistant Election Commissioner of Punjab Krishna Kumar and District Election Commissioner of Uttarakhand had been appointed by the Royal Bhutan government as observers for this mock election.

Only two political parties-Druk Red Party and Druk Yellow Party- were licensed to participate in the election.

The Election Commission of Bhutan have ordered voters to carry their Voter Identity Cards while polling.

District Police Chief of Jalpaiguri, Tripurari, told UNI,''We are in touch with the security agencies of the Royal Bhutan to prevent any kind of disturbance during the election.

UNI