Security a "major area of concern" in conduct of free and fair polls in Assam: CEC

Security related issues is be a "major area of concern" in the smooth conduct of the upcoming Lok Sabha elections in Assam, said VS Sampath, Chief Election Commissioner (CEC), while talking to media persons here today. Post declaration of poll dates, the three-member election commission chose Assam as the first state to visit and review poll preparedness.

The commission today held series of meetings with political parties, deputy commissioners, superintendents of police, chief secretary, and home secretary, among others. Sampath said illegal arms in the hands of surrendered militants was posing "problem" in some pockets of Assam. He added that the police had been directed to seize all illegal arms which are in possession for the free and fair conduct of the polls. He said officers had been asked to "strictly" implement the model code of conduct and monitor the polling process with impartially. As per the figures provided by the election commission, 1.87 crore voters would be eligible to cast their votes during the three-phase polls in Assam, to be conducted on April 7, April 12 and April 24. Five constituencies of Dibrugarh, Jorhat, Koliabor, Sonitpur and Lakhimpur will go for polls on April 7, while three constituencies of Silchar, Karimganj and the autonomous district seat comprising Karbi Anglong and Dima Hasao would vote in the second phase on April 12. The third phase of polling on April 24 will cover rest of the six constituencies of Nagaon, Guwahati, Mangaldoi, Barpeta, Kokrajhar and Dhubri.

On the polling days, the casting of votes would commence at 7am in the morning and would continue till 5pm in the evening.