Fully prepared for Mizoram Assembly polls on Nov 25: V S Sampath, CEC

AIZAWL: The Election Commission is fully prepared for the upcoming polls to the 40-member Mizoram Assembly scheduled for November 25, Chief Election Commissioner V S Sampath said here today.

100 per cent updated photo electoral rolls and 100 per cent Electors Photo Identity Card (EPIC) by the state election department was highly commendable, Sampath told reporters.

He said 94 out of the 1,126 polling stations are critical and special measures have been taken to keep a watch on them.

"Security has been tightened and beefed up in these critical areas and along the border areas with Myanmar, Bangladesh and neighbouring states of Assam, Manipur and Tripura," he said, adding quick response teams and flying squads would be deployed with executive magistrates in these areas.

During the meetings which the EC held yesterday and today, it was decided that damaged roads due to heavy rains in many places, specially in the southern districts, should be repaired on war-footing, the CEC said.

Alternate communication network for interior villages where mobile network is absent would be arranged, he said, adding concerned officials have been instructed to take strict action to curb flow of illicit liquor to prevent electoral malpractices.

Sampath also urged the voters to come out in large numbers on the day of polling.

Officials told PTI that coordination with the Assam Rifles in areas along the Manipur border and security along the 64 km long un-fenced border near tri-junction of Mizoram-Tripura-Bangladesh in Mamit district was also discussed with the EC during the meeting attended by Chief Secretary Ms L Tochhong, DGP and other senior officials today.

CEC Sampath, Election Commissioners H S Brahma and Dr Nasim Zaidi and top officials of the EC, who arrived in Aizawl yesterday returned to Delhi today.