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J&K gearing for 'momentous' polls

By Shujaat Bukhari

SRINAGAR AUG. 16. Terming the coming elections in Jammu and Kashmir as the most difficult in the country since Independence, the J&K Chief Electoral Officer, Pramod Jain, said today that 4,000 officers were being brought from outside the State to conduct the elections. About 2,000 polling stations had been declared as "hyper sensitive".

Addressing a press conference here, Mr. Jain said that "these elections are going to be momentous in the history''. Tension prevailed in the border areas but still "we are ready to go in for the elections which are going to be on time," he said adding that all measures were being taken to ensure a smooth conduct of the elections.

For the first time in the country's electoral process, computerised and updated voter slips were being given to the electors at their doorstep. About 4,000 officials would be drawn from Uttar Pradesh and Bihar to strengthen the polling machinery. The modalities were being worked out with the governments concerned. Since January 3 lakh more entries had been made to update the electoral rolls and 8,000 Electronic Voting Machines would be put to use for the first time in the State.

The CEO said that elaborate security arrangements are being made and more forces have been requisitioned. The security personnel have started arriving. "All the political parties would be provided a level-playing field and security to at least one officer of the political parties will be ensured,'' he said adding that it would ensure free movement and election campaign by the parties. About 1,000 polling stations had been added making a total number to 7025 in the entire State. Of these, 2,000 polling stations were hypersensitive, 1000-1500 as sensitive.

On the raging controversy over force being used to make the Elector's Photo Identity Card, Mr. Jain said that it purely a voluntary scheme.

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