EC to use choppers in Bihar; DM transferred
Patna-ย The election department would use helicopters in Bihar for various purposes during the Lok Sabha elections in the state where 70 companies of central armed police forces have arrived for the first two phases of voting.
The Election Commission has transferred the district magistrate of Samastipur “for better management of the polls”, Additional Chief Electoral Officer Sanjay Kumar Singh said.
It was decided during a meeting that “helicopters would be used for area domination by security forces, emergency evacuation, and if needed, transportation of EVMs,” Singh said.
Four naxalite affected constituencies – Aurangabad, Gaya, Jamui and Nawada – will be held in the first phase of polling on April 11.
The CEO’s office has received a proposal for shifting of 50-60 polling stations in these left wing extremism hit constituencies and a decision to move them would be made after getting the EC’s nod, Singh said.
Five constituencies – Kishanganj, Katihar, Purnia, Bhagalpur and Banka – will go to polls in the second phase on April 18.
Adequate safety and security measures have been taken to ensure free, fair and peaceful polling in the first two phases for which around 70 companies of central armed police forces have reached the state, the official said.
Samastipur District Magistrate Chandrashekhar Singh, who took charge of the district on May 2 last year, was transferred by the state government on the recommendation of the EC, the ACEO said.
“There was no charge against the DM. He was transferred in order to carry out electoral management in a better manner,” he said.
Divesh Sehara has become the new district magistrate of Samastipur where polling will be held in the fourth phase on April 29.
PTI-April,3
