Chattisgarh polling stations may face Naxal threat: EC

New Delhi, Sept 12: The Chattisgarh

has raised concern over naxal threats in 233 of its polling booths across 18 districts in the upcoming assembly elections. They have further stated that in such a case it would be difficult for the polling parties to access them.

Hence, senior state officials suggested the Election Commission to allow shifting the polling booths to different areas, away from the 12 naxal-infested assembly segments of south Chhattisgarh and the northern districts of Sarguja and Rajnandgaon.

Populated areas with good road connectivity and gram panchayat offices are reported to be some of their polling location choices.

However, the Election Commission is sceptical, citing the issue of long travel time for villagers coming to vote. It has, hence, asked the state government to re-examine the entire issue. Moreover, not all political parties would want to shift, considering the fact that at least one polling booth should be there in every district.

The commission is now preparing to hold talks over the issue with the Union home ministry. It is reported that the EC and the MHA prefer a staggered election with a separate phase for the Maoist-infested areas.

OneIndia News