1 lakh security personnel to be deployed for Assam Panchayat polls

A total of 1,40,000 civil employees and one lakh security personnel will be deployed for the Panchayat polls in Assam, which will be held in two phases on December 5 and December 9 in 26 districts and 14 civil sub-divisions.

"We have intimated all Superintendent of Police of districts to deploy the adequate forces and find out the places where vulnerability is there in terms of crimes and group clashes etc. We want to see that free and fair election takes place. If any particular district wants additional then we will try to provide them," said Assam Director General of Police Kuladhar Saikia.

There are 2,200 Gaon Panchayats in Assam. A total of 1,56,41,456 voters will exercise their franchise out of which 8,12,38,35 are male and 7,51,76,21 are female voters. As many as 23,505 polling stations will be set up out of which 8243 polling stations have been marked as 'sensitive' and 3665 as 'very sensitive'.

"We have been preparing for these polls since last year. As per the five-year term, the polls were supposed to be held in January/February, but it got delayed. We are fully prepared for the polls," HN Bora, Election Commissioner of Assam.

The last day to file nomination is November 15, while re-polling will take place on December 7 and December 11. The counting of votes will take place on December 12.