Election Commission reviews poll preparedness in Bihar

Patna, Mar 7 (ANI): The Election commission has given the Bihar Government a 24 hour ultimatum to relieve all officers who have been transferred but not relieved after completing 3 to 4 years into a district.

The Chief Election Commissioner, N. Gopalaswamy made it clear that there should be no exception and District Magistrates not following the Election Commission Diktat would have to face action.

The Commission also put on notice of outside the State officers, who are in Bihar on deputation and holding charge of District Magistrates (DM) and Superintendent of Police (SP) in districts.

Gopalaswamy also asked the DMs and SPs to take preventive measures to ensure that no untoward incident happens on the polling date.

Earlier, Gopalaswamy along with the Election Commissioners Naveen Chawla and S. Y. Quereshi reviewed the on going election preparedness in Bihar.

The EC met representatives of various political parties and sought their suggestions for smooth conduct of polling.

During the meeting RJD and Congress requested the commission not to deploy personnel of Special Auxiliary Force (SAP) and contractual teachers in election process.

Delegation of the BJP, Janata Dal (United), BSP, CPI and CPM requested the commission to deploy extra additional central forces to ensure fair polls.

Elections to all the 40 Lok Sabha seats in Bihar will be held in four phases.

Earlier, the Commission was in Lucknow to review poll preparedness in the state. (ANI)