New Delhi: Amid fears of Maoist violence in
Jharkhand which goes to polls this month and in December, the
Election Commission on Saturday assured that all possible steps have
been taken for peaceful assembly elections in the state.
"We are aware of the ground realities in Jharkhand. We
have taken all possible steps and hope the elections will be
conducted peacefully," Election Commissioner S Y Quraishi said
at a function here.
He was replying to a question if the Commission fears
Maoist violence in Jharkhand during the polls.
Quraishi said the Commission does not see any "serious
situation" in Jharkhand as of now. He also said that there was
no specific information with the Commission that Maoists have
threatened to indulge in violence during the elections.
For holding free and fair polls, about 25,000
paramilitary personnel have been deployed in the state in
addition to the existing troops engaged in anti-Naxal
operations in the state.
Polling in the State will be held on November 25,
December 2, 8, 12 and 18.
Bureau Report
First Published: Saturday, November 21, 2009, 15:34