EC officials to visit 3 poll-bound states

According to sources, the team headed by Chief Election Commissioner V S Sampath and two Election Commissioners H S Brahma and Syed Nasim Ahmad Zaidi will review the arrangements in the three states relating to elections before announcing the poll dates.

During the visit, the full Commission would interact with representatives of political parties and discuss poll arrangements including that related to security with the district and state officials.

The poll officials will leave tomorrow for the three poll -bound states and will first hold consultations with Nagaland state government officials in Dimapur on January 3 and Tripura government officials at Agartala on January 4 and 5.

The EC team will also hold consultations with Meghalaya officials in Shillong on January 7 for assessing the state's preparedness for the ensuing assembly elections there.

A top EC official said, "the team will assess the ground situation in each of the three poll-bound eastern states and and hold consultations with the state government officials as well as assess the security situation and the forces required for conducting the elections.

"The team will also meet leaders of various political parties and others related with polls to review the arrangements for ensuring a free and fair election to the state assemblies."

A team of officials of the Election Commission has already visited the states in November and December to assess their preparedness.

The Election Commission is likely to declare elections to the three eastern states this month as the term of the three state assemblies expires in March this year.(MORE)