EC seeks details of requirement of paramilitary forces

The Election Commission today sought details of requirement of paramilitary forces to ensure fair and peaceful Lok Sabha elections in Jharkhand.
"Today we held a video conferencing with all district deputy commissioners and superintendents of police and sought their requirement of forces as per the number of sensitive and hypersensitive in their area," Jharkhand Chief Electoral Officer P K Jajoria said here.
He said that FIRs have been filed after a total of 21 out of 93 complaints relating to defacement of private property were received in Godda, Dhanbad, Ramgarh, Bokaro, Chatra, East Singhbhum, Jamtara, Koderma, Hazaribagh and Dumka districts.

The CEO also said information have been received about the BJP giving a contract worth around Rs 5.5 crore to a firm to make hoardings for elections purpose in Jharkhand.
"We have informed it to the EC, which would look into it...( andif it is found to be correct then) the expenditure would be added in the (party's) election expenditure," Jajoria added.
A control room has been set up to monitor election related expenditure and anyone could call toll free number - 18003456547 - Phone numbers - 0651-2332408/0651-2332406 (fax), the CEO said.

The Income Tax department has also appointed officials for each of the 24 districts in the state to monitor election related expenditure.

A total 1,63,522 lakh applications were received for voter enrolment during a special drive on March 9 and 10, he said.
After verification the total electorate in the state is expected to reach 2.01 crore, becoming eligible for voting in the three-phase LS elections in Jharkhand on April 10, 17 and 24.