1200 'vulnerable and critical' locations in Kerala

At least 711 locations and more than 1,233 polling booths have been identified as 'critical' or 'vulnerable' by the Election Commission in Kerala where more central police forces would be deployed for the May 16 Assembly polls.
Most of the critical and vulnerable locations were in Kasargod, Kannur and Kozhikode in North Kerala and this figure would go up, Chief Election Commissioner Dr Nasim Zaidi said after reviewing the poll preparedness by the Commission with the state government officials here.
Central police force would be deployed in adequate numbers in the state for route marches, confidence-building measures and surveillance of vulnerable locations, Zaidi said.

Stern steps also would be taken to prevent bogus voting, he added.
On steps to curb the influence of black money during poll, Zaidi said enforcement activities against unaccounted money would be further intensified.
Already 340 flaying squad have been activated, he said.

A total of Rs 19.49 crore unaccounted money, gold weighing 11.19 kg, and liquor to a tune of 18,384 litres along with 4437.5 litres of spirit have been seized, he said.
To a question on the demand by DMK for a CBI probe into the seizure of unaccounted money to a tune of Rs 70 crore in Tamil Nadu, Zaidi said "enforcement authorities are already acting. Necessary mechanisms have been activated to ensure money power does not endow some candidates undue advantage over the others".

He said the Commission would continue to review instances of paid news on a day-to-day basis.
The Commission will collect intelligence on real time basis on violation related information and pass on to flying squads and other enforcement agencies.
"By and large we are satisfied with the election preparedness in the state. The objective is to increase the voting turnout, he said, adding, "we want around 80 per cent and more".