Heaviest force deployment for fifth phase LS polls in Bihar

As the Maoist-affected seats in Bihar and a couple of them along the Indo-Nepal border go to polls tomorrow in the fifth phase of Lok Sabha elections, the Election Commission has stepped up security arrangements by making the heaviest deployment of forces so far in the state.
The EC has moved 66,000 security personnel including 143 companies of Central Paramilitary Forces (CPMF), 74 companies of Bihar Military Police (BMP) and 27,766 district police personnel for the elections tomorrow and has deputed over 3,000 magistrates and 21 poll observers to ensure smooth voting in the seven constituencies - Sheohar, Sitamarhi, Muzaffarpur, Ujiarpur, Hajipur, Saran and Maharajganj.

"All possible steps are being taken to ensure free, fair and peaceful polls. Arrangements are being made as per the EC guidelines," Bihar Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) Ajay V Nayak told reporters.
Of the seven parliamentary constituencies, Muzaffarpur, Sheohar, Sitamarhi, Ujiarpuar and Hajipur are Naxal-affected. Sheohar and Sitamarhi are located along the Indo-Nepal border.
Four helicopters belonging to the Indian Air Force, CRPF and state government will hover over the skies of poll bound areas. An air ambulance will be kept on standby in Patna to tackle any medical emergency, EC officials said.
"Regular force will be deployed at all 7,376 polling locations having 10,152 polling stations. The Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) meant for polls in Naxal-affected areas are being strictly followed. Road opening parties of our forces have recovered landmines planted in Vaishali and East Champaran in this process," said Ravinder Kumar, Additional Director General (Headquarters) of the Bihar Police.

Kumar said special measures like patrolling by mounted police riders, motorcycles and boat-borne forces in the diara (riverine) areas are being done.

"Altogether 989 persons have been exiled from their respective districts in this phase so that they cannot create disturbance during the polls. They will be detained on the poll day at the police stations where they are supposed to mark their attendance daily," added Kumar.
The EC has identified 4,638 vulnerable hamlets and 5,583 critical polling stations. Special deployment of poll personnel and forces has been done to ensure smooth elections at these places.
Around 1.08 crore voters will exercise their franchise to decide the fate of 118 candidates in this phase.