EC to use choppers for area domination, emergency evacuation, EVM transportation in Bihar

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.

Meanwhile, a total of 30 nomination papers were filed on Wednesday in the third phase of polling in five seats to be held on April 23, the ACEO said. Ten nomination papers were filed for Khagaria, six each papers filed for Araria and Madhepura while five for Jhanjharpur and three for Supaul seat.

Prominent among them included veteran socialist leader Sharad Yadav of the RJD, Dinesh Chandra Yadav of the JD(U), Choudhary Mahboob Ali Kaiser of the LJP and JD(U)'s Rampreet Mandal.

(With inputs from agencies.)