EC says, 6000 villages, hamlets undergoing polls are vulnerable

New Delhi, May 11 (ANI): The Election Commission has declared that people in 6,000 villages and hamlets in seven states and two Union Territories, going to polls in the final phase of Lok Sabha Elections, are vulnerable to threats and intimidation.

Deputy Election Commissioner R Balakrishnan said that nearly 19,000 trouble-makers have been identified against whom preventive measures have been initiated to ensure free and fair polls.

Interacting with reporters here, he said that 86,782 villages and hamlets in various parts of the country have been identified as vulnerable to threats and intimidation in the ongoing election process and specific action taken against over 3.73 lakh people.

The EC reviewed the arrangements for the fifth and final phase of elections to 86 Lok Sabha seats in which a total of 10.78 crore voters would be eligible to exercise their franchise in over 1.21 lakh polling stations, he said.

With the five-phase poll coming to an end on Wednesday, the Commission will lift the ban on opinion and exit polls, which can be telecast after close of the final phase of polls at 5 pm on May 13.

The EC had banned dissemination of results of opinion and exit polls by the media on April 14. (ANI)